SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, earlier today spoke with CalMac Managing Director Robbie Drummond about ferry services to Uist.

Last night, the vessel serving the Uig Triangle, MV Hebrides, made contact with the pier at Lochmaddy. This caused services on the route to be cancelled while the vessel is inspected.

This comes as the ferry service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig was suspended earlier this week due to MV Lord of the Isles requiring repairs to its drencher system.

Commenting, Allan said:

“I understand that mishaps do happen from time to time. However, we cannot have a situation where all of Uist is left without a ferry service to the mainland from either of its ferry ports.

“I spoke to CalMac’s Managing Director earlier this afternoon and sought assurances about Uist being covered by an adequate vessel redeployment plan.

“Last night’s incident underlines the pressing need for more resilience in CalMac’s fleet. Uist cannot be left in the vulnerable situation of having one of its two ferry ports down at any time or this will happen again.”