Extra summer sailings for Ullapool-Stornoway ferry
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EXTRA ferry sailings will operate between Stornoway and Ullapool over the summer to provide a boost to tourism.
The move was announced today (Thursday) by the Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay.
An extra return crossing has been added to the Friday and Saturday timetables and will operate for 10 full weekends from Friday June 26 until Saturday August 29.
Sailings will depart from Stornoway at 10.30am and Ullapool at 2.30pm on both days.
The additional sailings will be carried out by the MV Isle of Lewis, in support of the main vessel on the route the new £42m vessel MV Loch Seaforth.
Mr Mackay said: "By convening the task force we have been able to get the Stornoway-Ullapool ferry project back on track, but it has also given me the opportunity to speak directly to local communities and stakeholders.
"I have listened to representatives of the local tourism industry, who have called for additional capacity on the route over the summer months as the MV Loch Seaforth beds into its role as the main vessel on the route.
"I am confident the new vessel will be a real boost to regular ferry users, tourists and businesses, but these extra sailings will give the community an extra level of certainty over the busy summer months.
"Looking to the future, I look forward to the MV Loch Seaforth and the upgraded harbours at Stornoway and Ullapool bringing real benefits to the communities they serve."
Drew Collier, CalMac operations director, said: "We welcome the Minister’s approval for these extra sailings which were agreed by members of the taskforce which is made up of key local representatives.
"The Stornoway-Ullapool route now has significant additional capacity at the height of the season and we expect the timings of the additional sailings to be popular with both visitors and the local community."
