We know that our geography, like every other academic subject, is rather suspect so yesterday we had to resort to Google Maps to check that neither Campbeltown nor Ardrossan had shifted location from the days we were at school. One cannot be too careful when thinking distances.
We are, of course, referring to the decision by The Scottish Government to provide a car ferry service between Campbeltown and Ardrossan while shafting those living in The Uists who have long wanted a car ferry between Lochboisdale and Mallaig. If our understanding is correct, MV Isle of Arran, a vessel highly suitable for the Lochboisdale to Mallaig route, is to be the regular vessel on the Campbeltown to Ardrossan route.
What is even more perplexing than the actual decision is that, as far as we are aware, we have never heard of any argument or clamour for the Campbeltown to Ardrossan route while the clamour for the Lochboisdale to Mallaig route has been ongoing for years. We might, of course, be wrong and only time will tell whether the new route will prove. We recall only too well what happened to the Campbeltown to Ballycastle route some years ago.
Meantime, the lesson for the people of The Uists is plain, simple and obvious. Make sure whom you do not vote for next time round.
Important to understand that the Isle of Arran already has a full time job in the Calmac fleet as the relief ship to cover when one of the others breaks down. When not required in that role, she is the second ship sailing to Arran. The new sailings to Campbeltown (which are only three times a week) are fitted in (not terribly conveniently) round about her existing Arran schedule. If there were a breakdown, the IoA's Arran and Campbeltown sailings would be cancelled. In other words, it's not the case the IoA is sitting gathering rust somewhere while the Scottish Govt. meanly and rottenly out of pure malice and spite refuses to deploy her to Lochboisdale.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you could have a debate about whether extra sailings to Arran with a few to Campeltown slotted in around them are a better use of the IoA's time than sailing between Mallaig and LBL. I offer no opinion on that but remember the IoA's core role of fleet relief. Just imagine how Angus MacMillan et al would scream blue in the face, frothing fury if she were called away: "How DARE you steal OUR ferry, you lying, treacherous, deceitful BASTARDS who have set out to pursue your single goal which is to erase South Uist from the map! ..."
Thank you, Mr King and Ms Duncan, but there are three separate issues, we think. The first - and a wholly legitimate issue - is that of the service provided by Calmac to The Uists. The second is whether there is any need whatever for an Ardrossan to Campbeltown ferry link and only time will tell on that one. The third, which is highly important to us up here, is the treachery of what we have always known as The Scottish Office in Edinburgh. Frankly, up here, we wouldn't trust The Scottish Office one solitary inch. We know them only too well. We are sure that The Uists have no desire whatever to "steal" anyone's ferry.
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