South Uist must endure a little longer for promised ferry service to be reinstated
15 May 2025
A last minute hiccup has hampered plans to finally resume a normal ferry service
for South Uist.
MV Lord of the Isles, fondly known as the Loti, the island’s designated vessel, was
due to return to her Lochboisdale - Mallaig timetable this coming Monday for the
first time this year.
But engine problems has left MV Finlaggan stuck in drydock for another day or more,
meaning the Loti will remain on the Islay route until .
After repeated delays to the Loti’s return, today’s (Thursday) deadline was extended
to the weekend due to a hold-up with the Finlaggan on the Mersey while unexpected
technical issues affecting her main engines arose.
The Finlaggan was today towed down river by a tug to lay-up repair berth in Birkenhead
where the late arrival of replacement pistons will push back her departure.
At present, under hopeful estimates, she is pencilled to pick up her Islay sailings
sometime on Monday which will release MV Lord of the Isles to head to Uist midweek.
However, timings can change and are yet to be confirmed.
Information on CalMac’s website still advising the Loti will be back on Monday is
likely to be updated after the shipping company sorts out new schedules.
CalMac told Hebrides News they are working on plans for a Finlaggan 24-hour delay
and will confirm timetables over the coming days.
Contracted timetables for the Lochboisdale ferry link under the current CalMac agreement
have been under siege for years with the service being axed or severely cut for periods
of times.
South Uist has endured poor service over recent years as the Loti is regularly pulled
away to other islands as a consequence of government failure to provide a sufficient
number of suitable vessels to maintain CalMac’s fleet.
MV Isle of Mull was transferred to the route over winter after legal restrictions
due to a condemned liferaft evacuation system effectively curtailed her passenger
limit to a maximum of 45 travellers.
The Mull cannot operate to Mallaig as the port is unsuitable for all CalMac vessels
- excluding the Loti - in running a sustainable ferry timetable.
She has to sail to Oban, double the distance and time, which often increases the
risk of disruption during adverse weather forecasts.
While just about manageable in the low-travel month of January, the present increasing
demand for ferry travel to Uist means the island is losing out on tourism and business
trade.
Last month, transport secretary Fiona Hyslopsaid she heard “powerful testimony” of
the impact of the ongoing severe ferry service problems from island businesses.
Uist’s ferry service has worsened with impacts also affecting the Lochmaddy route.
