15 cars, but no protesters as Sunday ferry finally sails

THE last bastion of opposition to Sunday ferry services in the strictly Sabbatarian Scottish islands has finally seen a sailing without a single protester in sight.

The MV Hebrides slipped out of Tarbert on the Isle of Harris on time at 9am yesterday with 15 cars and 39 passengers. Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne reported that no protest of any kind was mounted.

The Scottish Government last month approved the first regular Sabbath service from Tarbert.

The service – which stops at Lochmaddy on North Uist before Uig on Skye – links islanders directly with the mainland for the first time on Sundays.

Tarbert on Harris was the last major port in the company’s main island network which did not have a Sunday ferry.

The company has spent months consulting about the regular winter Sabbath car and passenger service after being approached by islanders who want it.

The CalMac ferry has sailed empty out of Tarbert on a Sunday in order to provide a service between Lochmaddy in North Uist and Uig on Skye on the same day. Now the company is allowing commercial traffic on the sailing from Tarbert.

A spokesman for CalMac confirmed that it was “just the start of a normal service”.

“We have had less than 100 representations – both for and against the service,” he said. “I am not going to say what the split was – it is not about a majority, it is about enough people wanting this service and we are responding to demand.

“The ferry already sails between Tarbert and Lochmaddy on a Sunday during the winter as a repositioning run, but up until now has not taken fare-paying traffic.

“However, following representations by some Harris residents and a consultation with the local community, CalMac has agreed to make the run part of its winter timetable.

“In economic terms, the use of the repositioning run is attractive because there are no additional costs in providing the service and it creates an opportunity to generate revenue to offset the existing costs.”

Provision of the ferry service has been opposed by the Tarbert branch of the Lord’s Day Observance Society and some locals.

Harris councillor Morag Munro accused CalMac of introducing the controversial Sabbath-busting ferry by stealth.

“CalMac are introducing this ferry for vehicles and passengers by using the excuse of repositioning,” she said. “They are going to populate the ferry.

“There has been a lack of transparency and no proper consultation.”

But as for protests, Ms Munro said for many islanders it would be left to prayer.

“We will be making an appeal – but to a higher authority,” she said.

Rev Kenneth Macdonald of Scalpay Free Church said the “vast majority” of people were against the Sabbath ferry service.

Mr John Roberts, spokesman for the Lord’s Day Observance Society, said he too strongly opposed the service.

“CalMac is interested only in financial profit. They are flouting the traditions of the Western Isles and at the end of the day they will reap what they sow – which will not be good,” he said.

CalMac said religion or beliefs were not valid reasons under European law to refuse to run the ferry.