Extra Stornoway ferry summer sailings
5 March 2015
Additional ferry sailings will operate between Stornoway and Ullapool over the summer months to provide a boost to island tourism, Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay has announced.
An extra return crossing has been added to the Friday and Saturday timetables and will operate for 10 full weekends from Friday 26th June until the end of August.
Sailings will depart from Stornoway at 10.30am and 2.30pm on both days.
The additional sailings will be carried out by the MV Isle of Lewis, in support of the main vessel on the route, the MV Loch Seaforth.
Mr Mackay said: “By convening the taskforce we have been able to get the Stornoway-
“I have listened to representatives of the local tourism industry, who have called for additional capacity on the route over the summer months as the MV Loch Seaforth beds into its role as the main vessel on the route.
“I am confident the new vessel will be a real boost to regular ferry users, tourists and businesses, but these extra sailings will give the community an extra level of certainty over the busy summer months.
“Looking to the future, I look forward to the MV Loch Seaforth and the upgraded harbours at Stornoway and Ullapool bringing real benefits to the communities they serve.”
Chairman of Outer Hebrides Tourism Community Interest Company, Ian Fordham said: “Outer Hebrides Tourism is delighted the Minister has listened to our concerns over capacity on the Stornoway – Ullapool route, and very pleased he has committed to additional runs in the peak period.
“The extra services are timed to meet the needs of visitors travelling to and from the Outer Hebrides, and we have no doubt that they will prove highly popular.”