Populations on the peninsula and beyond have welcomed the return of the MV Corran this week but say their communities will still be on ‘tenterhooks’ until a long-term solution is found.
After a year away, the MV Corran returned to service, carrying vehicles between Corran and Ardgour, mid-afternoon on Saturday (October 28).
The sight of the boat back on the Corran Narrows ended a 12-month absence that started when its overhaul last October revealed serious technical issues.
The boat sailed into Loch Linnhe on the evening of Thursday October 26, with a collection of well-wishers blowing airhorns to welcome it home as it passed the Ardgour slip at around 7pm.
Friday morning saw the boat sail into Corpach in order to get its ramps adjusted, before final preparations and a move back to the narrows.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said that a determined effort had been made to reduce the risk of further in-service failures.
“Highland Council regrets the reduction to service, the additional journey time and the impact the delay in the MV Corran’s return has caused to the public and businesses. We understand the dismay and deeply regret the circumstances of the outage,” he added.
“We also value the importance of ensuring a reliable service for the sustainability of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and beyond, and continue to work to find solutions and financial funding to provide medium- to long-term service plans.”
This is music to the ears of the Corran Action Group who will continue to push for a replacement vessel to be obtained as a matter of urgency.
“Our communities simply can’t wait until 2028,” said group member and Acharacle Community Council representative Joanne Matheson.
“Much as we are all extremely pleased to see the MV Corran back in service, the Corran Action Group has not changed its opinion that Highland Council needs to order a replacement vessel urgently.
“We know, and Highland Council has admitted, that the ferry is old and further breakdowns are inevitable.
“Hopefully none of them will last quite as long as this one, but our community is still on tenterhooks not knowing, when they set out to get the ferry, whether it will be running when they get there.
“Or, when they cross over, it will be running when they need to come back.
“The tourist season is over for this year, some businesses have closed already, and those that have suffered significant losses or increased costs this year are going to have to make adjustments next year – so the repercussions of this situation will go on for some time.”
Michael Foxley of Ardgour Community Council added: “There will be a huge sigh of relief across the communities of Ardgour, Morvern, Sunart, Moidart and Ardnamurchan who have suffered very badly for a year.
“But there is no back-up ferry and there will be further failures. Which is why we need Highland Council to order another diesel ferry now.
“It will cost £15m – funding is available from an underspend in the Inverness City Region deal and it could be here in just over a year.
“It will be still be needed if the Levelling Up Fund bid succeeds as this will be for only one electric ferry and that by 2027.”
The MV Corran will operate her usual timetable, running seven days a week. For updates and timetable details, please visit the www.highland.gov.uk/corranferry
Photograph: The newly repaired Corran Ferry makes its way past Fort William to Corpach to have its access ramps adjusted before going back into service after nearly a year. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_F44_CorranFerryReturns 01-03