Island church-goers all at sea as Sunday ferries ban to end

Published on Thursday 14 May 2009 22:04

IT IS an issue that has long divided communities the length and breadth of Lewis and Harris.

But the debate over whether to have Sunday ferries breach the last major stronghold of Sabbatarianism in the Outer Hebrides looks set to be settled within months.

It emerged last night that equality laws could force ferry operators to start Sunday sailings to and from Stornoway, in Lewis.

The state-owned ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne said it had received legal advice that the existing practice of not providing seven-day sailings was likely to fall foul of the Equality Act 2006.

It now seems a question of when, rather than if, seven-day sailings will be brought in.

Churchgoers last night promised to fight the move.

Peter Timms, the ferry firm's chairman, yesterday told island community representatives CalMac had been approached by the Equality and Human Rights Commission following complaints suggesting it was breaching equality legislation by not providing Sunday sailings on some of its services.

Mr Timms said: "Although this is not a formal legal challenge we cannot ignore the underlying claim that we may be operating unlawfully.

"We have sought legal advice and it appears we are likely to be in breach of the 2006 act. As a result, the CalMac board are now considering the implications of this. We are keen to consult with community representatives about how to operate within the terms of the legislation and no decision will be taken until the implications for operations have been fully investigated."

The sailings could begin as early as October, at the start of the winter timetable.

But the Rev Iain D Campbell, chairman of the Lewis branch of the Lord's Day Observance Society, said: "It is very difficult to see who is being discriminated against at a human rights level just because this particular shop is closed on a Sunday.

"None of us have the absolute right to come and go from the island whenever and however we wish.

"We are dependent upon the public company which serves the island and we want to support that company.

"But we also want to defend a way of life which has been well served by CalMac in the past, observing the Sabbath as a day of rest."

He added: "A sizeable number of residents want to see the present status maintained.."

Angus Campbell, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), said councillors would meet CalMac shortly to discuss a range of issues, including Sunday sailings.

He added: "The comhairle considered the issue of Sunday sailings last year and in 2006 and is opposed to the introduction of such a service for Lewis and Harris."

Pressure has been growing in recent years for Sunday sailings between Stornoway and Ullapool.

In September 2007 a new campaign was mounted in favour of a Sunday service to and from Lewis, with supporters sending comments to CalMac via letters and e-mail.

Supporters say a seven-day service would bring social and economic benefits to the island and that Sunday travel should be a matter of individual choice.

They argue that, as CalMac provides similar services elsewhere in the isles, seven-day crossings for Lewis are overdue.

But a similar campaign was mounted against Sunday sailings there, with Sabbatarian supporters saying they would break down the last vestiges of the islands' Christian heritage.