SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed confirmation that government funding has been allocated in this year’s budget for a new vessel to replace MV Lord of the Isles, the main CalMac vessel serving Lochboisdale in South Uist. 

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop was speaking at a ferries summit today in South Uist, which was organised by the South Uist Business Impact Group. She confirmed that with the money set aside this year for the vessel’s replacement, procurement could potentially be undertaken over this summer. This follows community engagement and consultation on vessel design which has already taken place over recent months. 

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“The news from Fiona Hyslop today that money has been allocated to replace MV Lord of the Isles is a vote of confidence in ferry services from Lochboisdale.

“Disruption across the network since January this year has been particularly difficult for the communities of Barra and South Uist, and it will be a great relief once the remaining five major vessels still being completed join the fleet over the coming year or so, significantly strengthening CalMac services’ resilience and capacity.

“However, clearly we must keep pace with investing in and replacing our vessels, and I so am pleased that, as well as the ten new small vessels now about to be built, that the procurement process can soon also begin for the MV Lord of the Isles’ replacement.

“This was one of the asks of the South Uist Business Impact Group going into today’s meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, as well as the establishment of a resilience fund for local businesses affected by disruption. It was very encouraging to see the Scottish Government meeting both of these requests so comprehensively today.”