A covered walkway is currently under construction, linking the terminal with the ferry berthed next to it; however the walkway is 15.2 feet from the ground – a problem for the 16 foot vehicles which would need to drive underneath it to board the ferry.

CalMac has assured that the restriction will only be a problem at the highest tides of the year; and that any problems with height can be solved either by using the alternative berth, or waiting for the tide to lower. However, some crofters are unimpressed.

"Why have a ferry at 16 feet if you can't get onto it? That's absolutely stupid," said South Uist farmer and haulier Norman MacAskill. "What if there is a boat at the other berth?

"We have so many delays anyway on the Oban to Lochboisdale route. Sometimes when we arrive in Oban, we are left waiting because the Isle of Mull is berthed. They seem to think that the outer isles are full of second-class citizens.

"All of the livestock floats are well over that, and you don't want any further delay than you have already experienced when you are carrying livestock."

Councillor Donald Manford too is unimpressed.

"Hay lorries, animal floats and sometimes house kits come in at 16 feet," he said.

"I would like to know how this came about and why we weren't told about it until now, when I asked."

Mr Manford fears that in the years to come, CalMac may change their current height restriction to accommodate the walkway.

"I am very happy that we can work together to overcome the difficulty; however, reassuring crofters will not be straightforward," he said. "History is littered with broken CalMac promises, and crofters will naturally view agreements with CalMac with suspicion."

At the time of going to Press CalMac stated: "These claims have been blown out of proportion."