Latest news with #LordoftheIsles
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Islanders facing financial ruin over ferry cancellations
In recent years, the route has been plagued by disruption, with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop holding 'crisis' talks with island business groups earlier this year. The Lord of the Isles – referred to as LOTI by locals - is a 36-year-old vessel which had only returned to the South Uist route in mid-May after it was taken to service other struggling routes. Islanders were given the MV Isle of Mull, the second oldest ship in the fleet, as a replacement – but it was restricted to 45 passengers per trip. In 2023, islanders protested after a month-long cancellation. Karen MacAulay, owner of the Lochboisdale Hotel, told The Herald repeated disruption is leading to a 'debilitating' pressure on locals. Since the ferry was cancelled earlier this week, she has lost at least 10 bookings and will lose more if the ferry is not returned by Friday. 'Trying to run a business here is difficult anyway, so living on the edge is natural,' she told The Herald. 'We've gone from 14 rooms booked out of a total of 15 and it went down to four. We're losing thousands upon thousands of pounds every year. 'It seems that if any ferry breaks down in the fleet, they take the LOTI. The ferry has become so unreliable that people won't book onto it. Read more: 'We haven't got a replacement so for this full week, we're having to phone people. We don't charge for cancellations when it comes to the ferries – if we did, I'd be a millionaire. So we have lost a whole week's worth of work. 'It's mentally debilitating. Year upon year it is just getting worse. Now I am just at the stage where I want to give up. 'We are fighting a losing battle. The crisis is now. We can't afford to pay bills or staff. It's absolutely horrendous. It's taken a mental toll on not just me but everybody in the community. 'We need help but in Lochboisdale they just forget about us.' The Lord of the Isles vessel is one of four ships beyond running beyond the expected operational life, alongside the Isle of Arran, Mull and the Caledonian Isles, while two other vessels – Isle of Lewis and Clansman – are approaching the end of their expected time. Last month, CalMac was awarded a £3.9 billion contract to run the west coast services for the next 10 years. However, Torcuil Crichton, the Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, condemned the decision, warning the firm's 'resilience' was gone. Read more: Speaking to The Herald, he said: 'People are tearing their hair out in frustration. It's affecting confidence on the islands, and its affecting commercial and tourism confidence in the islands. 'On one end hotels are facing large scale losses and on the other end B&Bs face cancellations that can add up to a months mortgage payment, or more. 'It's feeding into people's decision whether to live or leave the island. It's really serious. 'Business owners are eating into their own funds – they're going into debt – in the hope that things will get better. It is an awful situation to be in.' Service information provided to travellers by CalMac said: 'Due to mechanical damage on MV Lord of the Isles that has resulted in water ingress into a void tank, this service has been cancelled.' The vessel is being repaired in Kennacraig, near the Clyde – almost 150 miles away from Lochboisdale. Dependin on the outcome of repairs it could back in operation on Thursday or Friday – but islanders said they have been told it could be out of service for another week. There are no direct replacements, however an island-hopping alternative has been provided on the MV Loch Alainn, sailing from Barra and Eriskay to connect with the MV Isle of Lewis on the Castlebrae service. CalMac and Transport Scotland have been asked for comment.
STV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Island businesses say 'no sign' of promised £4.4m amid ferry crisis
Businesses on South Uist are calling on the Scottish Government to come good on their promise of £4.4m of resilience funds for those worst affected by the ongoing ferry crisis. The Government's original announcement came one month ago, the day before transport minister Fiona Hyslop travelled to the island to attend South Uist Business Impact Group's (SUBIG) crisis meeting, where over 50 businesses presented testimony on how the ferry crisis has affected them in the hopes of discussing a way forward. However, since the meeting, the business group has heard no further mention of the fund. John Daniel Peteranna, director of local community landowner Storas Uist, said: 'Uist has suffered a severely reduced ferry service all this year. 'Island businesses stand ready to work with the government on how the fund might work, but are disappointed at the government's slow approach. 'This fund is urgently needed to ensure island businesses can survive until the ferry service improves.' The call comes after South Uist's ferry, the Lord of the Isles, returned to its home port of Lochboisdale for the first time since Hogmanay. Saturday saw the first service between South Uist and its 'usual' mainland port of Mallaig for almost six months. Loti is the only 'large' ferry in CalMac's fleet capable of entering Mallaig harbour while also able to travel out to South Uist. At 37 years old, it is one of the oldest in the fleet and prone to breakdowns. Last September, a fire in the engine room during the crossing led to its removal from service for weeks, further disrupting the island's economy. The return of the island's ferry also means the island's full summer timetable can finally commence, albeit two months later than planned. This shorter route to Mallaig, only three and a half hours instead of the five and a half hours to Oban that businesses, families and other travellers have endured for the past six months, also means South Uist will benefit from two sailings a day on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the full summer timetable. But, as the MV Lord of the Isles slunk into her berth on Friday evening, shrouded by squalls of long absent rain, islanders know that this full summer timetable will last for only two weeks. For most of June and July, CalMac is cutting one service a week to the island and redirecting two others to distant Oban instead of Mallaig. 'Island businesses and families need a timetable they can rely on', Mr Peteranna added. 'We shouldn't live in fear of our service being cut every time there's a problem somewhere else in CalMac's fleet. We call on the government to present the details of the resilience fund.' With its regular ferry returning from helping out on routes to islands CalMac prioritises above South Uist, there is cautious optimism from hospitality and other businesses that something might yet be made of the summer season. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Scotland's island communities and businesses face many challenges, we recognise the need to provide additional targeted support and that is why we have allocated an initial £4.4m to establish a resilience fund to support island businesses. 'People and businesses need to have confidence in ferry services running reliably and frequently to support their livelihoods, among many other factors and it is clear that any delays or maintenance to vessels can create real difficulties and we are determined to do everything we can to support islands, local businesses and employers through these challenging times. 'We are currently working at pace with partners to refine eligibility criteria and so that we can open for applications as soon as possible.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Ferguson Marine seeking direct award to build major new CalMac ferry
Shipyard lobbying for contract for Lord of the Isles replacement Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government-owned Ferguson Marine shipyard is hoping to be handed another major CalMac ferry order, The Scotsman has learned. Ferguson Marine is seeking the direct award of a contract to replace the 500-passenger Lord of the Isles, which the yard built 36 years ago. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The MV Lord of the Isles | CalMac The news comes after ministers this week awarded Scottish Government-owned CalMac a new contract without a competition, unlike previously. The Port Glasgow yard is still struggling to complete the second of two-hugely late ferries for CalMac, whose delays have been blamed on previous management, including before the firm was nationalised in 2019. Glen Sannox was finished in November last year, six-and-a-half years late. Sister vessel Glen Rosa is not due to be delivered until at least September. Ferguson Marine is desperate to secure new work to follow Glen Rosa. Ministers decided against directly awarding the yard seven smaller electric CalMac ferries and Ferguson Marine subsequently lost the competition to a Polish firm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Deputy Minister Kate Forbes argued that a direct award could have triggered a legal wrangle and delayed construction. An industry source said of the latest contract: 'Ideally, they want a direct award to build the replacement for Lord of the Isles, but if not, then they would register interest should there be a competition. 'They think the CalMac contract announcement sets a precedent for a direct award of some kind and are in the process of engaging with [Transport Secretary] Fiona Hyslop to find out what is possible.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lord of the Isles serves the Mallaig-Lochboisdale route | CalMac The Scotsman has learned a decision over going ahead with the order is due to be made by Transport Scotland's investment decision making board next week, which would need to approve its outline business case. Transport Scotland said last month this year's Scottish Government Budget 'had provision to procure the tender for replacement of the Lord of the Isles'. The vessel, known as Loti, normally operates between Mallaig and Lochboisdale in South Uist, but has been temporarily redeployed to the Islay route to cover for another vessel. West Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Greene said: 'If Ferguson Marine is confident it can build this ship on time and within budget, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't be allowed to. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The Scottish Government has given the direct award of the west coast ferry contact to CalMac, stating there were no legal barriers to them doing so. And yet oddly, it used the opposite argument as to why it couldn't give a direct award to the publicly-funded Ferguson Marine. 'For years, the SNP repeatedly stated that there would be a pipeline of work at Ferguson for generations to come. Instead, contracts have gone to Turkey and Poland, with things looking increasingly bleak for the workforce at the yard.' Louise Gilmour, Scotland secretary of the GMB union, which represents workers at the yard and has campaigned for direct awards, said: 'We were told repeatedly how there are legal obstacles, but these are insurmountable when convenient for ministers and dissolve when not.' Scottish Conservatives shadow transport spokesperson Sue Webber said: 'These are the sort of contracts Ferguson Marine will require if they are to flourish in the future. However, due to the SNP's botched nationalisation of the yard, it has left them at a huge disadvantage in bidding processes like this.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Transport Scotland said procurement rules meant direct awards were only possible 'in strictly limited circumstances'. It said that under the UK Subsidy Control Act, such shipbuilding contracts 'must be capable of withstanding legal challenge'. A spokesperson said: 'Ministers will consider future vessel contracts from public agencies on a case-by-case basis to determine whether any might legally be open to direct award.' Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, which orders ferries for the Scottish Government, indicated it was not expecting a direct award. Its spokesperson said: 'Subject to approval next week of the outline business case for the Loti replacement contract, and funding, we intend to begin an open procurement process for the new vessel in the middle of June.
Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate 14th wedding anniversary in Scotland
The Prince and Princess of Wales are celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary by helping to spruce up a small community centre on the Scottish island of Mull. The couple, who will stay on the island in a self-catering cottage on Tuesday night, are marking their marital milestone with public engagements celebrating 'the power of community and social connection'. Their Royal Foundation is funding a new soft play area for young children on the island, as well as refurbishing halls that house events, including wedding receptions and yoga classes. They are spending two days on Mull and the smaller island of Iona, with a particular focus on the power of nature. They married at Westminster Abbey on April 29 2011 and now have three children, who are not travelling with them. On Tuesday morning, they met residents in Tobermory, the picturesque harbour town famous for its colourful seafront houses and as the setting of children's television show Balamory. The Prince and Princess also stopped for a tour of Aros Hall, built in the 19th century and now home to a community fridge saving food from landfill, a charity shop and a children's indoor play area used by Home-Start Lorn, a family support charity. They will also visit the nearby harbour to chat to makers and creators at Tobermory Producers Market, co-ordinated by Aros Hall. They will end their day by travelling to a combined croft and restaurant on the west coast of Mull, touring some of its 50 acres of land, seeing the Hebridean sheep farmed on site and helping select garden produce for the menu. The couple are officially known by their Scottish titles the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland and have a connection with Mull, as the island is part of lands once ruled by the Lord of the Isles, one of a number of Scottish titles that Prince William inherited from his father. They have visited the island once before, as university students, where they travelled with friends for an ordinary holiday. Prince William and the then-Kate Middleton met at the University of St Andrews in Fife. The visit aims to highlight the importance of communities and protecting and championing the natural environment. On Wednesday, they will visit a forest and spend time at Pennyghael Community Hall and on the island of Iona after taking the public ferry from Mull and meeting those who use and run the service. The Royal Foundation's Community Impact Programme is providing undisclosed grants for the renovation of facilities at Aros Hall in Tobermory, and at Pennyghael Community Hall. The money will go towards roof repairs and refurbishment, as well as adding a soft play area and toys for children to use through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood partnerships with LEGO and the Co-op. Banjo Beale, an interior designer and the presenter of the BBC's Designing The Hebrides programme and a Mull resident, said: 'It's an absolute joy to be working with the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales to redesign and preserve these vital community spaces. 'Together, we're not just restoring old walls – we're reimagining what's possible when community and creativity come together. I'm excited to breathe new life into beloved buildings and celebrate the island's warmth, resilience and quiet magic.'
Evening Standard
23-04-2025
- General
- Evening Standard
Prince Louis beams in new photograph to mark William and Kate's son's seventh birthday
William has a connection with the Isle of Mull because it is part of lands once ruled by the Lord of the Isles, one of a number of Scottish titles he inherited from his father when Charles became King.
