This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Lifeline links to Islands
10/10/2001
The new £15.5 million CalMac MV Hebrides ferry has been hailed as an excellent example of how modern and first-class service can benefit local communities, increase and improve access for tourists and ensure efficient transport links for islanders and rural communities.
Deputy Transport and Planning Minister Lewis Macdonald was today the first Scottish Minister to travel on the new ferry from Uig to Lochmaddy. The Minister was setting off on a three day tour of the Western Isles to visit a variety of successful transport schemes funded by the Scottish Executive. Mr Macdonald will visit North and South Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay, Lewis and Harris.
The Minister said:
"I am delighted that the Executive was able to provide funding for this project. MV Hebrides is an excellent example of how a modern and first-class service can benefit local communities as well as increase and improve access for tourists.
"We want to ensure that the most efficient transport links are available to islanders and the Executive is committed to maintaining these vital lifeline links to Scotland's islands and rural communities."
Dr. Harold Mills, Chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne welcomed the Minister on board the MV Hebrides, which came into service in March 2001, replacing the MV Hebridean Isles. The ferry is CalMac's newest and most modern vessel. It carries 110 cars and 610 passengers, an increase of 50 per cent on the Hebridean Isles capacity, and serves the Skye (Uig) to Harris (Tarbert) and North Uist (Lochmaddy) routes.
The MV Hebrides was built by Fergusons Shipbuilding, Port Glasgow at a cost of £15.52 million and was launched by Her Majesty the Queen on 2 August 2000.
Scottish Ministers awarded a capital grant of £11.385 million as well as a loan of £3,795,000 to assist procurement of the new vessel. In addition, the Executive has also provided £768,000 towards a major development of the Uig Pier, out of a total of £1 million to enable the Hebrides to be berthed. That work is almost complete. In the meantime, temporary arrangements are in use.