Ullapool CalMac staff went ‘above and beyond’ so family could attend funeral in time
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Woman shares how Ullapool CalMac staff went the extra mile so her family could “make it to the wake in time to say goodbye” at family member’s funeral.
Victoria Gray (28), a lecturer in Medical sciences at Bangor University in Wales, found herself needing to travel from Anglesey to Crosbost in Lewis.
Alongside her parents and her younger brother, Victoria and her family began the last-minute journey of over 500 miles, which unfortunately landed on the inevitably busy Easter weekend.
Victoria said: “Due to the last minute nature of the travel and it being the Easter weekend, we hadn’t been able to book our car onto the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry. However, my dad called CalMac and after they heard we were travelling for a funeral, the staff reassured us we would be first on standby – which was a big help on its own.”
But CalMac didn’t stop there, the ferry operator staff went the extra mile to help the family say their final goodbyes.
“When we arrived at the terminal, just 10 minutes before check-in closed, we spoke to the staff and it turned out they had been informed of our arrival, and would be ensuring that we would board the ferry first.” Victoria explained.
With the wake due to begin just 30 minutes after the ferry was due to dock in Stornoway, the staff at the Ullapool ferry terminal knew the time crunch the family were under.
Victoria continued: “So we not only found a place despite the car deck being incredibly full, but we were also put to the side and boarded first.
“This had even more of an impact because on that day the ferry departed about 15 minutes late. If we hadn’t been first on and first off, we would likely have missed the wake since we made it with just a minute to spare!
“I can’t find the words to thank the amazing staff at Ullapool CalMac for their help – they went above and beyond. Without their kindness, we wouldn’t have made it in time to say goodbye.
“Honestly, as a family we’re just incredibly grateful for the really thoughtful and kind help. It’s a long journey during a very emotional time, so to have that part smoothed over for us by the staff at CalMac made a huge difference. Thank you isn’t enough!”
