Islanders stranded as ferries fully booked

Problems with islanders being stuck on the island and unable to travel to the mainland have worsened this summer.

The success of lower fares under the Scottish Government’s road equivalent tariff scheme plus the stay-at-home trend for more people to holiday within Scotland has resulted in packed ferries to the Western Isles this summer.

Huge increases in tourist numbers have kept B&B and hotels busy though more would come if they could get space on the ferry.

A downside is locals often find it impossible to get off the islands when required. Five days notice now often needed if islanders want to travel by ferry to a funeral, work or other visit on the mainland.

A twist to the issue is there may be some spaces left on the cardeck at departure time despite intending passengers being told in advance that the ferry is fully booked.

Tourism operators urge Cal Mac to introduce an improved booking system, maintaining many would-be travellers are being turn away.

They also want more sailings timetabled for peak periods.

Weekend ferries are presently full up, intending passengers booking via Cal Mac’s internet ticket system will find.

Saturday lunchtime sailings on the MV Hebrides between Harris and Lochmaddy to Skye has been booked up since Spring.

This bottleneck is caused by holiday cottage owners all adopting the same changeover day for self-catering guests.

Cllr Roddie Mackay - who has previously crossed swords with Cal Mac over the issue - said the situation is “unbelievable.”

Mr Mackay added: “We are all aware of the economic impact as it blocks tourists coming to the islands.”

Mr Mackay pointed out it is a serious problem for islanders who can longer travel when they need to.

He is one of numerous islanders affected as he could get his car onboard the MV Isle of Lewis between last Thursday and Tuesday.

He said: “Its not just about how many tourists not getting onto the islands but also how locals not getting away.”

“Simple access and exit to and from the islands for locals is really, really difficult and very frustrating during the summer.”

A Cal Mac spokesman said: “Ferry traffic is very much as we would expect at this time of year with the popular peak sailings very busy, but with adequate space at other times.

“The Western Isles routes are no different from other popular routes across the network, but unfortunately there is no quick fix to provide additional reservable capacity on these busy days.

“We would encourage people who are not tied to weekends to consider travelling at other times and, during busy periods, it would help everyone if customers advised us as timeously as possible of changed plans and cancellations to maximise what space we do have on the most popular sailings.

“In addition we have agreed with theOuter Hebrides Tourism Industry Association to carefully monitor and review all reservations on routes to the Outer Hebrides to see if there is any traffic which can be transferred away from key sailings."

Islanders “stranded” at home as ferries fully booked 8/8/14