A new campaign for a shorter ferry service between South Uist and the mainland is seeking the support of the Uist community. Islanders will gather at a public meeting in Daliburgh on Friday evening to show support for a new direct service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig. The shorter voyage could provide a daily service and reduce by half the time of the present seven-hour journey from Oban.

Islanders say it would create a vital economic boost, support the tourism and fish-farming sectors, and help counter the high 7.6% unemployment rate in the islands by regenerating the economy. They point out the present service only operates four days a week and claim it is the worst lifeline ferry service in Scotland.

On Wednesday, the Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee decided to take no further action and closed a petition from islanders. The committee said the issue should be raised through the Scottish Government’s Scottish Ferries Review. The draft version of the review claims there is no great demand for the service and does not identify it for future strategic improvement.