CalMac slashes Stornoway ferry fares during controversial diversion

Fares across the Minch are to be cut while traffic from Ullapool is diverted to Harris during the upgrade of the linkspan at the Wester Ross port.

The diversion, which has proved controversial as it impinges on the tourist season, is due to last four weeks from April 20 and had prompted fears that most traffic would divert to Harris where a typical car and two passengers return ticket to and from Skye is just £82 compared to £132 via Stornoway.

Now Transport Scotland has ordered a fares cut to make both routes cost £82 to avoid bottlenecks and chaos at the Harris port of Tarbert.

Drew Collier, the CalMac operations director, said: “Transport Scotland has decided to equalise the fares between Stornoway and Uig and Tarbert and Uig to help manage traffic volumes on the route more effectively.
“The fare from Stornoway to Ullapool is higher than Tarbert-Uig and we were keen to avoid unnecessary congestion at
Tarbert during this short period as some travellers may have opted for the cheaper route if prices had been kept at the existing Stornoway – Ullapool level.”

The revised sailing schedule for the duration of the upgrade work promises:

• Up to two daily return sailings from Stornoway to Uig for passengers and vehicles.
• One daily return sailing from Stornoway to Uig for freight.
• Two daily return sailings from Stornoway to Ullapool for foot passengers only.
• An enhanced service (peak season level) on the Uig to Tarbert route