Armadale ferry disruption hits local economy, communities say
Communities in South Skye and on the mainland say ongoing disruption to the Mallaig-Armadale ferry service is causing economic pain for local businesses.
Mallaig Community Council says firms are regularly getting last minute cancellations and visitor numbers are down.
The route is currently being serviced by two charter vessels and vehicle capacity is significantly reduced as a result.
On Tuesday, operator CalMac confirmed a further delay to the MV Coruisk returning to the route.
A spokesperson for Mallaig Community Council said:
“This is not a marginal service. It is a critical economic artery. Treating it as expendable puts the future of our rural communities at risk. We refuse to be invisible in this crisis.”
The ferry operator has apologised for the disruption but says it is prioritising vessels to support routes which have no other alternative.
A CalMac spokeswoman said:
“Due to our services being stretched while several vessels are unavailable, it’s not currently possible to provide the level of service we would like to. This is understandably frustrating for customers and local communities, and we are sorry for the disruption.
“Mallaig-Armadale is a valued service, and we recognise how important it is. We are working hard to ensure that the route is covered in these difficult circumstances, but we must make difficult decisions when it comes to prioritising other routes which don’t have any alternative options to and from the mainland.
“We have chartered replacement vessels for Mallaig-Armadale until MV Coruisk returns but recognise that there has been a significant reduction in their service delivery. The intention had been for MV Loch Bhrusda to operate on this route, but the vessel must remain on the Sound of Harris service while MV Loch Portain is delayed in annual overhaul. MV Coruisk is also required on the Oban-Craignure route to meet booking demand.
“We regularly engage with communities in Mallaig through the Sound of Sleat Ferry Users Group, issuing regular updates about this service.”
The disruption is expected to continue until MV Coruisk returns to service, though no confirmed date has been given.
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Uig harbour closes for major redevelopment
The second phase of major redevelopment works at Uig harbour is due to begin today with the Skye port now closed for a six-week period.
During the closure, the existing linkspan and support structures will be removed and will be replaced by a new linkspan on foundations which were constructed earlier this year.
The Highland Council who owns the island harbour have stated that the linkspan will be installed and commissioned for ferry services resuming on Monday 11 December.
The works are being undertaken by The Highland Council’s contractor, RJ McLeod.
During the outage the Skye Triangle Resilience Group, which includes the minister for transport and all project partners will continue to meet during the outage period.
Weekly updates will be posted on the Highland Council website.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne have put in place alternative travel options in place to support customers who would normally travel to and from the Skye triangle ports of Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy.
Full details can be accessed via the CalMac website.
Highlands MSP calls out UK Goverment for asylum mismanagement
Highlands and Island MSP Emma Roddick has urged the UK Government to provide financial support for local authorities as it presses ahead with plans to close asylum hotels.
Writing to UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick in her position as Scottish Migration and Refugees Minister, Ms Roddick said that a backlog in the asylum decision making process was down to mismanagement by the UK Government.
She stressed that consequences cannot be passed to local authorities without any support to manage them.
Ms Roddick stated that measures should be put in place now to ensure that the UK asylum system does not again reach a point of 175,000 people waiting for a decision
She has requested the urgent provision of funding to local authorities to support move-on associated with the backlog clearance.
Lochcarron Games donate £500 to Kintail rescue team
The Kintail Mountain Rescue Team have received a donation of £500 from the Lochcarron Highland Games committee for its service to the annual gala day.
Gary Lory, Secretary of The Lochcarron Highland Games presented the cheque to the team, who volunteered their time during this year’s games.
A spokesperson for the Kintail Mountain Rescue team said that such donations were vital to ensuring they remain ready to assist anyone in the event of trouble in the mountains.
Mountain safety underlined as clock go back
Mountaineering Scotland are urging people to be prepared before heading out into the hills following the end of British Summer Time.
The national governing body for hill walking, climbing, mountaineering is reminding people of the importance of packing a head torch, planning your journey, and checking the weather before setting out.
Ross Cadie, Senior Mountain Safety Advisor at Mountaineering Scotland, said that packing a fully charged and good quality headtorch was vital, and that walkers should also take spare torch with extra batteries if they were expecting or planning to spend time out in the dark.
He also recommended packing extra warm layer and adding thicker, better waterproofs amid colder, wetter, and windier weather.
Donald MacRae, Vice Chair of Scottish Mountain Rescue said if you are lost, in need of assistance or in an emergency in the mountains, dial 999 ask for the police then mountain rescue.
Volunteer teams will assist any hour, any day, any weather.
End of an era as MacLeod bows out at Skye
Saturday marked the end of an era for Skye Camanachd as men’s first team coach Kenny MacLeod signed off after three years at the helm and seven years as coach with the club.
Skye may have lost 4-0 to the newly crowned champions Kingussie, but Kenny MacLeod brought his three-year tenure leading the first team to close having guided the islanders to National Division glory last season as champions before securing their premiership status in their first year back in the top flight.
Paying tribute to Kenny MacLeod following their final game of the season away to Kings, the club commended him for his “dedication, passion, perseverance, and commitment,” as not only as first team coach but also during his previous roles coach of the under 17s and the second team.
Under-30s claim Glenelg memorial cup
Glenelg under-30s took the spoils against their older counterparts on Saturday an annual memorial match held in honour of a former player and fan of the club.
The Memorial Cup celebrates the life of Alasdair Davidson who served as a fully committed left half for the club as well as village shopkeeper for many years.
Alasdair Davidson remained a loyal supporter of the club after he stopped playing.
The annual cup was conceived by his sons James and Angus and first took place in 2011.
Commenting after the match, James Davidson said that the game was a great reflection of the competitive edge that his dad had and was played in good spirits.
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