Isles MP urges FM to reconsider travel arrangements

Families are currently permitted to create a family bubble for the Christmas holiday period for a total of five days from December 23 to 27. This does not, however, permit travel days on the 22nd or 28th December.

This is in contrast to Northern Ireland where travel to and from the family bubble location is permitted on those dates.

That means that families in or from the islands would lose two days from the five permitted while travelling. Mr MacNeil is asking the First Minister to look at this matter again.

Mr MacNeil said: “I have written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to clarify this. The Scottish islands are further away from the Scottish mainland than Northern Ireland is for instance and it would seem anomalous that a day’s travel would be given to Northern Ireland and not be given to the Scottish islands.

“I imagine this is something that has been overlooked but it is causing some anxiety for people and clarity is urgently required on this by the First Minister.

“I would expect alterations to be forthcoming and it would be brought in line with the Northern Irish situation.

“Some people face long ferry journeys from the Scottish islands to and from the mainland and often it is weather dependent as well.

“I look forward to this being clarified very soon.”