Uist and Barra need immediate support from the Scottish Government to help businesses survive the ferry crisis, which has left both islands with threadbare CalMac services over Easter.
Torcuil Crichton MP has renewed his calls for swift compensation after meeting businesses in Uist on Wednesday, where he heard first‑hand about the mounting losses being felt across the Western Isles.
The Labour MP for Na h‑Eileanan an Iar said the tourism sector in Uist is open and ready for visitors, but the £4 million Resilience Fund — created to help those hit by previous ferry disruption — needs to be reopened, simplified and delivered quickly.
With eight CalMac ferries out of action, Lochboisdale in South Uist and Barra have been left with a patchy timetable, diverted sailings and long stretches with no service at all.
On Wednesday, CalMac responded to pleas for help by promising to send vessels to the Western Isles from routes that currently have two ships — but not until after the Easter weekend.
Mr Crichton said: “I appreciate the difficulties CalMac face but this looks like too little too late. Easter trade is the stepping stone to staffing and refurbishment in the hospitality industry and many other businesses are facing supply and logistical issues thanks to the loss of ferry services.”
Mr Crichton and Scottish Labour candidate Donald MacKinnon met with members of the South Uist Business Impact Group to discuss the crisis and outline Labour’s plan for change.
The meeting heard that only three of thirteen self‑catering units in Eriskay are booked for Easter, and one hotel in North Uist has just a single booking for a weekend that normally marks the start of the tourist season.
Mr Crichton said: “Businesses large and small face losses which will flow into the summer season unless they are helped now. Every conversation we had in Uist on Wednesday reflected how confidence has taken a real knock because of repeated ferry failures.”
Donald MacKinnon, Labour’s Holyrood candidate, said that alongside immediate support, change was needed at the top of CalMac.
Mr MacKinnon said: “Change is needed at the top. A Scottish Labour government would scrap CalMac and CMAL and deliver a new ferry agency with islanders on the board and accountability at its core.
“The blame for the current situation falls directly at the door of successive SNP ministers who have ignored the warnings of islanders and have let the service deteriorate to where we are today.”
