Poll launched into Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry transport links

The councillors said in a statement on social media that the move comes following their receipt “of a number of complaints about the current lack of such connections” and  “the different transport options and timetables not quite complimenting each other”.

According to the group, the current ferry timetable allows for bus connections to Fort William and on to Inverness or Glasgow but it doesn’t connect with the Mallaig train service.

An earlier departure from Lochboisdale and a later departure from Mallaig, the group said, would allow for a connection to the rail services and the poll asks respondents if they would be in favour of a 6am departure from Lochboisdale, a 2pm departure from Mallaig, or are in favour of both or neither option.

The councillors plan to use the results of the survey in discussions with Transport Scotland and Calmac on possible alterations to the timetable “if that is the majority view”, and said that while this was not “an official consultation on the service” it would give the group “an indication of what the public’s views are”. 

Robert Morrison, Operations Director for Calmac Ferries Limited, said: “We aim to be as flexible as possible when it comes to engaging with the local community about important issues such as timetables. Once the survey results are available we will engage further through the formal consultation channels.”

The poll is linked on the group’s Facebook page.