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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New £4.4m ferry disruption fund opens for eight islands
🧭 What is the Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF)? A £4.4 million Scottish Government fund aimed at supporting island businesses hardest hit by west-coast ferry disruption. Run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Applications open July 2 and close midday September 1. Decisions and payments are expected by October 31. Grants range from £3,000 to £35,000 depending on business size and demand. ✅ Who's eligible? Businesses on these eight islands only: South Uist, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay, Colonsay, and Arran. Must be in tourism-related sectors or the manufacture or transport of perishable goods (e.g. seafood). Islands were selected for having over 15% ferry service cancellations across three seasons — far above the 7% CalMac network average. 🚩 Why it's controversial Exclusion of other hard-hit islands The Mull & Iona Ferry Committee says Mull (and Iona), along with Coll, Tiree, Islay and others, have seen serious disruption — but are not included. Mull lost 22% capacity since March due to MV Isle of Mull being sidelined — though this isn't counted under the scheme's eligibility criteria. Questionable criteria Critics call the 'over 15% cancellations' rule arbitrary and exclusionary, saying it ignores capacity loss and ongoing maintenance issues. There's concern the fund doesn't align with the Islands (Scotland) Act, which aims to support all affected communities. Financial shortfall South Uist reports losses of £1 million over Easter–June 2024. Mull has lost around 7,000 passengers and 10% car traffic by June 2025 — figures campaigners argue outstrip the current £4.4m total. 🧑🎤 Voices from the islands 'Why exclude islands that are really suffering? It's not just bizarre and unfair on the face of it, it's actually, I think, contrary to the islands act, I don't think it's correct in law.'— Joe Reade, Chair of the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee. At least it's a gesture. It will benefit some people. It'll let them survive, because the hit has been really hard on people." —Mary Schmoller, member of the board of the South Uist community landowner, Stòras Uibhist 🛠️ What happens next? Applications open July 2, 2025, closing September 1, administered by HIE. Decisions and payouts expected by October 31. Campaigners are calling for: Wider eligibility that includes islands like Mull, Coll, Tiree, Islay. Revised criteria that account for capacity loss, not just cancellations. More detail on eligibility and payment formulas is expected soon.
STV News
3 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Launch of £4.4m fund for island businesses affected by ongoing ferry disruption
A £4.4m support fund for island businesses affected by ongoing disruption to ferry services has been launched by the Scottish Government. The Island Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expected to pay grants of up to £35,000 to eligible businesses on the islands of South Uist, Colonsay, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay and Arran. Eligible sectors include those that rely on tourism and those engaged in the manufacture or movement of perishable goods, such as seafood. The government said the size of the award will be based on demand and the size of businesses that apply, but that payments are expected to range between £3,000 and £35,000. The fund, which is managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), opens for applications from July 2 until midday on September 1, with decisions and payments expected by October 31. Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'We know that Scotland's island communities face distinct challenges, not least in terms of their economic and social resilience. 'People and businesses require ferry services running reliably and frequently to support their livelihoods. 'We worked with HIE to refine the eligibility criteria and identify how this money can make a real difference to the businesses who need it most. 'Reliable and regular ferry services are key to this connectivity for people and businesses and we know that the current situation of delays and ongoing maintenance to some vessels has created real difficulties for some. 'We are determined to do everything we can to support islands, their local businesses and employers through these challenging times.' An ageing ferry fleet and delays in the delivery of new vessels have resulted in extensive disruption to ferry services on Scotland's west coast over recent years. The government said the IBRF is being targeted to businesses on the eight selected islands as these have seen more than 15% of services disrupted over the last three seasons. This compares with an average of 7% across the CalMac ferry network as a whole. Rachel Hunter, HIE's director of enterprise and community support, said: 'Island businesses and social enterprises make an important contribution to local economies and provide vital rural employment that helps sustain many communities. 'Those operating in tourism and production or movement of perishable foods are particularly vulnerable to disruption such as we've seen in recent years. 'This fund is about strengthening the resilience of those organisations operating in the sectors and islands most affected. Our focus will be assessing applications promptly so that funding can be awarded as soon as possible after the closing date.' Commenting on the announcement the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee, which represents the islands' ferry users, criticised the fact the fund is only open to businesses on eight islands. The group said this meant only a 'small proportion' of the islands affected by disruption were eligible for the scheme, with others being 'excluded' from it. A spokesperson for the group added: 'The ferry shambles is about more than just the number of sailings cancelled – it is about the fundamental undermining of Hebridean business and society, by this never-ending crisis of capacity and confidence. 'The damage done to our tourism sector will last long after the ferries are fixed.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Ferries Scotland: The £4.4m fund for suffering island businesses as Caledonian Isles still out of action
A £4.4 million support fund for businesses affected by ongoing disruption to ferry services has been criticised for only being eligible to firms on eight islands. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Island Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expected to pay grants of up to £35,000 to eligible businesses on the islands of South Uist, Colonsay, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay and Arran. Eligible sectors include those that rely on tourism and those engaged in the manufacture or movement of perishable goods, such as seafood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Government, which has launched the scheme, said the size of the award would be based on demand and the size of businesses that apply, but that payments were expected to range between £3,000 and £35,000. Caledonian Isles in Ardrossan harbour during sea trials on June 19 But a community group has described the decision to exclude certain islands, including Mull and Iona, from funding as 'baffling'. The Mull and Iona Ferry Committee stressed only a 'small proportion' of the islands affected by disruption were eligible for the scheme, with others being 'excluded'. A spokesperson for the group said: 'The ferry shambles is about more than just the number of sailings cancelled – it is about the fundamental undermining of Hebridean business and society, by this never-ending crisis of capacity and confidence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The damage done to our tourism sector will last long after the ferries are fixed. 'The criteria that the minister has come up with are not just blunt and crude, they are discriminatory. It seems to reflect an ignorance of how damage is being inflicted on island communities.' The fund, which is managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), opens for applications from July 2 until midday on September 1. Decisions and payments are expected by October 31. Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'We know that Scotland's island communities face distinct challenges, not least in terms of their economic and social resilience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'People and businesses require ferry services running reliably and frequently to support their livelihoods. 'We worked with HIE to refine the eligibility criteria and identify how this money can make a real difference to the businesses who need it most. 'Reliable and regular ferry services are key to this connectivity for people and businesses and we know that the current situation of delays and ongoing maintenance to some vessels has created real difficulties for some.' The Government said the IBRF was available for the eight selected islands as these had seen more than 15 per cent of services disrupted over the past three seasons. This compares with an average of seven per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
£4.4m ferry fiasco fund branded 'exclusionary' by islanders
READ MORE The IBRF, which opens for applications on Tuesday July 2, will offer grants of up to £35,000 to businesses on South Uist, Colonsay, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay and Arran — eight islands identified as having faced ferry disruption on more than 15% of services over the last three seasons. The Scottish Government said the average cancellations of ferry services across the Calmac network during that time has been around 7%. The scheme is targeted at firms reliant on tourism or involved in the production or transport of perishable goods, such as seafood. Awards will range from £3,000 to £35,000, based on business size and demand. Applications will be managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with the deadline set for midday on Sunday September 1. Decisions and payments are expected by Thursday October 31. Announcing the fund, Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'We know that Scotland's island communities face distinct challenges, not least in terms of their economic and social resilience. 'Reliable and regular ferry services are key to this connectivity for people and businesses, and we know that the current situation of delays and ongoing maintenance to some vessels has created real difficulties. 'We are determined to do everything we can to support islands, their local businesses and employers through these challenging times.' Mairi Gougeon said the government was determined to do what it could to help islands affected (Image: NQ) The west coast ferry network has suffered years of disruption, with an ageing fleet and delays in the delivery of new vessels repeatedly affecting services. Rachel Hunter, HIE's director of enterprise and community support, said the fund was designed to help organisations in the most affected sectors and areas 'strengthen their resilience'. She added: 'Our focus will be assessing applications promptly so that funding can be awarded as soon as possible after the closing date.' But the ferry committee said the government had missed an opportunity to provide meaningful support across the network. A spokesperson for the group said: 'The ferry shambles is about more than just the number of sailings cancelled — it is about the fundamental undermining of Hebridean business and society, by this never-ending crisis of capacity and confidence. 'The damage done to our tourism sector will last long after the ferries are fixed.' They added: 'This is a crisis affecting all our islands, and one that demands a comprehensive response — not selective support that ignores many of those suffering the most.'
The National
05-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish Highland port receives £24 million in funding
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced it will invest £24.2m at Kishorn Port, west Highlands, with plans to expand its dry dock and develop land so that floating offshore wind foundations can be manufactured at the site. The expanded facilities could attract projects with the potential to create up to 1500 jobs once the port is fully developed, HES has said. READ MORE: Battery storage site on greenfield land given go-ahead Kishorn was used in the 1970s for the construction of the Ninian Central oil production platform, which at the time was the world's largest floating concrete structure and has one of the largest openings of any dry dock facility in Europe. The investment forms part of the Scottish Government's commitment of up to £500m over five years to develop ports and offshore wind energy supply chain. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (below) said the investment is a 'clear signal' from the Scottish Government which will help boost confidence in potential investors. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) She said: 'This is one of the most significant public investments in our port infrastructure in decades. It is crucial to ensuring Kishorn Port and the communities it supports can reap the benefits of the global renewables market. 'It is a clear signal from the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise that will give investors the confidence to invest millions more in the area's wider infrastructure, economy and people.' HEI said Kishorn Port will play a crucial role in supporting current offshore wind developments and is 'well positioned' to capitalise on future opportunities extending beyond Scotland. READ MORE: Scotch whisky festival and retailer announces shock closure with 'heavy heart' Stuart Black, HIE chief executive, said the proposed dry dock expansion and land reclamation will greatly enhance the port's ability to support offshore wind projects. He said: 'Offshore wind presents a massive opportunity for the Highlands and Islands and Kishorn is one of several ports that are at the heart of this. The facility has provided skilled jobs in a rural area for many decades and this is likely to grow significantly, which is vital to community resilience in a priority west coast location. 'The proposed dry dock expansion and land reclamation will greatly enhance the port's capacity to support offshore wind and the contribution it makes to Scotland's economy. I'm delighted that we've been able to secure this significant additional funding for the region and look forward to continuing to work with Kishorn Port Ltd as the project develops.' Kishorn Port Limited director, Alasdair Ferguson, said with a quarry on site at the port it is well situated to make floating offshore wind sub-structures. He said: 'This is a significant milestone in the continuing development of Kishorn Port. The port expansion will provide the catalyst for the support and creation of jobs within Wester Ross and the wider Highlands, benefiting communities across the area. We're grateful to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government for their support. 'With the quarry on site, Kishorn Port is ideally suited to concrete manufacturing of floating offshore wind sub-structures, with local content, laydown, marshalling, and long-term integration and assembly possible at the port as part of the wider project in the long-term.'
