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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| CalMac considers Sabbath sailing | CalMac considers Sabbath sailing |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed it is considering sailing to Lewis on a Sunday. | Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed it is considering sailing to Lewis on a Sunday. |
| The company said it had received "a number" of requests for seven day sailings to Stornoway and would now hold discussions with the council. | The company said it had received "a number" of requests for seven day sailings to Stornoway and would now hold discussions with the council. |
| The move has been opposed in the past by churches on the staunchly Presbyterian island. | The move has been opposed in the past by churches on the staunchly Presbyterian island. |
| But CalMac said it was prepared to ask the Kirk ministers for permission to sail from Ullapool on the Sabbath. | But CalMac said it was prepared to ask the Kirk ministers for permission to sail from Ullapool on the Sabbath. |
| CalMac will continue to take due notice of the views expressed, which will represent a wide range of opinions CalMac spokesman | CalMac will continue to take due notice of the views expressed, which will represent a wide range of opinions CalMac spokesman |
| CalMac said a report on the feasibility of sailing to Lewis on Sundays would go to its board in Fort William at the end of November. | CalMac said a report on the feasibility of sailing to Lewis on Sundays would go to its board in Fort William at the end of November. |
| Currently only two of the firm's routes in the area do not operate on a Sunday - the sailing between Tarbert on Harris and Uig on Skye and also the crossing between Stornoway and Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. | Currently only two of the firm's routes in the area do not operate on a Sunday - the sailing between Tarbert on Harris and Uig on Skye and also the crossing between Stornoway and Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. |
| A spokesman for the ferry company said: "CalMac will continue to take due notice of the views expressed, which will represent a wide range of opinions. | A spokesman for the ferry company said: "CalMac will continue to take due notice of the views expressed, which will represent a wide range of opinions. |
| "The tender specification for the west coast lifeline services noted the sensitivities about Sunday sailings to and from certain communities. | "The tender specification for the west coast lifeline services noted the sensitivities about Sunday sailings to and from certain communities. |
| "If considered appropriate, CalMac will refer the matter to the Scottish Government, as it would need to approve any timetable changes brought forward in relation to seven-day sailings." | "If considered appropriate, CalMac will refer the matter to the Scottish Government, as it would need to approve any timetable changes brought forward in relation to seven-day sailings." |
| Air service | Air service |
| Councillor Donald Manford, the chairman of transportation at Western IslesCouncil, said they were opposed to introduction of Sunday sailings on theStornoway to Ullapool route. | Councillor Donald Manford, the chairman of transportation at Western IslesCouncil, said they were opposed to introduction of Sunday sailings on theStornoway to Ullapool route. |
| He said: "Clearly Caledonian MacBrayne has upped the ante on Sunday ferry sailings." | |
| Mr Manford added the council's "policy position remains one of opposition to the introduction of ferry services on the Stornoway-Ullapool route". | |
| However he said: "We look forward to engaging with CalMac on this issue where we can assess and evaluate the information that they have." | |
| Most shops and licensed premises across Lewis close on a Sunday. There is, however, a scheduled air service to the mainland. | Most shops and licensed premises across Lewis close on a Sunday. There is, however, a scheduled air service to the mainland. |
| A Sunday ferry service between Harris, to the south of Lewis, and the smaller island of North Uist started last year despite opposition from some locals. | A Sunday ferry service between Harris, to the south of Lewis, and the smaller island of North Uist started last year despite opposition from some locals. |