Latest news with #SouthUist
New York Times
14-07-2025
- New York Times
It's a Stunning Scottish Isle. Good Luck Getting On or Off.
The text message arrived with an ominous ping as I drove north through a rugged Scottish valley to catch the next day's boat to the spectacular, remote island of South Uist. Because of 'technical issues,' my crossing was canceled, wrote the ferry company, and there would be no trip on this route for the next five days. Politely, but firmly, the company's phone staff also insisted that my trip was a no go. Until suddenly they changed course. A little later, a call came in offering a different crossing that would add three hours' drive time to my journey. But at least it was sailing. Getting to South Uist — 25 miles, or about 40 kilometers as the crow flies, off the coast of northwest Scotland — always required time and a little patience, but now it feels like travel roulette. In theory, it can be reached on 10 ferry crossings a week, in three hours and 30 minutes. But so frequent is the disruption to the ferry from Mallaig, on the mainland, to Lochboisdale, on South Uist, that hoteliers fume about canceled bookings and islanders fret about missing travel connections or funerals on the mainland. 20 miles Detail area SCOTLAND Glasgow Edinburgh Outer Hebrides Britain Lochmaddy Uig ISLE OF SKYE North Uist South Uist SCOTLAND Daliburgh Lochboisdale Mallaig By The New York Times Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Island businesses criticise ferry cancellation fund
Some island community leaders have criticised a new £4.4m Scottish government fund set up to support businesses affected by ferry Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) will be available to eight of the 23 islands served by publicly-owned ferry operator Schmoller, of community company Stòras Uibhist on South Uist, said there was a lack of information on the funding, and she raised doubts it would go far businessman Joe Reade said his island was not on the approved list, but local businesses were suffering due to a reduced service. Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the Scottish government was determined to do everything it could to support island communities. IBRF will be available to eligible business, including firms that rely on tourism or trade in perishable goods, operating on South Uist, Colonsay, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay and Scottish government said the islands were chosen because they had more than 15% of ferry cancellations over the last three summer Ms Schmoller told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We've had no direct information."The announcement was made yesterday, I gather, but we haven't actually seen any details beyond the fact it will be operated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise."She said a study Stòras Uibhist did last year suggested more than £1m was lost to South Uist's economy due to disrupted sailings over six weeks between Easter and Schmoller said she was not sure £4.4m would be enough to cover every eligible added: "There are other businesses that have lost out as well." Mr Reade said it was "bizarre" Mull was not on the list of said the island's ferry capacity had been reduced by 22% since March because the ferry, MV Isle of Mull, was out of Reade told Good Morning Scotland: "Every tourist related business on Mull is reporting a really bad season."Restaurants are not as full as they should be, tourist trips are not taking as many passengers, accommodation providers have got vacancies in the middle of the season, which is unprecedented."He added: "We can see to the end of June we've lost 7,000 passenger visits to the island."Mr Reade said Mull could be missing out because reduced service was not being used as a measure for IBRF said: "I am absolutely astonished and bemused that the government should use such a blunt way about deciding who gets assistance and who doesn't. "Everybody needs it." How will IBRF work? Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will manage IBRF on behalf of the Scottish government. Applications will be accepted from Wednesday until midday on 1 September with decisions and payments expected by 31 businesses include those that rely on tourism, and firms that manufacture or transport perishable goods, such as Scottish government said funding awards would be based on demand and the size of organisations that apply for said awards were expected to range from between £3,000 and £35, carried out analysis of information and statistics provided by Transport Scotland and CalMac relating to ferry Scottish government said the eight islands were chosen because each had more than 15% ferry disruption over the last three summer seasons. It said the average cancellations of ferry services across CalMac's network during that time had been about 7%. 'Challenging times' Islands Secretary Ms Gougeon said the Scottish government knew island communities faced "distinct" said: "People and businesses require ferry services running reliably and frequently to support their livelihoods."We worked with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to refine the eligibility criteria and identify how this money can make a real difference to the businesses who need it most."Ms Gougeon said reliable and regular ferry services were key to said: "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."
BBC News
16-06-2025
- BBC News
Man in hospital after three-vehicle crash on South Uist
A man has been taken to hospital after a three-vehicle crash on South Uist on Sunday said they were called to reports of a collision at Grogarry at about 16: road was closed while emergency services are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
