There is currently another Calmac ferry fiasco on the island of Islay. The elderly Calmac ferry the MV Hebridean Isles which previously crashed into the pier at Kennacraig in July 2016 is at it again.
The MV Hebridean Isles which has been operating on the Kennacraig to Islay route was withdrawn from service last Saturday as a result of damage to its hull. https://www.calmac.co.uk/service-status?route=09
It was reported on the Calmac website last Saturday evening that divers would be inspecting the damage when the ferry arrived at Kennacraig after sailing back from Port Askaig on Islay.
Early this afternoon my wife and I were shopping in the Co-op supermarket in Bowmore which was like ‘old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard’. The fruit and vegetables, butcher meat and chicken shelves were almost bare with next to nothing to purchase. According to the staff in the Bowmore Co-op they received a small order today and they do not know if they will receive a big order tomorrow. What a hopeless way to run a business.
Worse than this. I might not be able to attend the Dundee v St Johnstone League Cup tie on Wednesday 22nd September as I am booked onto the 7.00am sailing from Port Ellen to Kennacraig on Monday 20th September sailing on the MV Hebridean Isles.
Visitors on Islay who had been booked to return on the MV Hebridean Isles sailings since it was taken out of service are now stranded on Islay and I cannot see them returning for another holiday on Islay with such a clapped out and unreliable Scottish Government owned Calmac ferry service.