McLaren Hotel carbuncle
Sir,
I have lived in Brodick for three years. There is not a day goes by when I am not overwhelmed by its stunning beauty.
That is until I walk past the vandalised Mclaren Hotel. Brodick is the gateway to the island, where we welcome visitors who are walking or driving. We also welcome cruises arriving at the slipway – everyone enjoying the beauty of Brodick – until the carbuncle, the vandalised Mclaren Hotel. It’s an embarrasment.
Have the owners not had long enough or is it going to be another year, another year?
Yours,
Lorna Mcfarlane,
Brodick.
Deeply concerning waiting times
Sir,
Waiting times for cardiology appointments in Scotland are at record levels and have more than doubled since before the Covid pandemic.
Between September 2016 and June 2023, the number of people waiting for an appointment rose from 10,496 to 22,720. In the last year alone, the waiting list has grown by 6,000.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is deeply concerned by these figures, not least because deaths from heart and circulatory diseases are also increasing in Scotland.
Last year, 18,073 people – around 50 a day – died from heart and circulatory diseases, the highest number of deaths since 2008.
At the BHF we know delays in the diagnosis and treatment of a heart condition can have devastating consequences. We also understand the human impact behind these figures – the families dealing with grief and loss, worry and anxiety.
That’s why we are asking members of the public who have been impacted by cardiology waiting times to get in touch with us.
If you are willing to share your experience of waiting for a cardiology appointment in Scotland with the BHF please email scotland@bhf.org.uk or call 0131 555 5891.
Yours,
David McColgan,
Head of British Heart Foundation Scotland.
Monohull vs catamaran debate
Sir,
I am responding to J Lamont’s letter in last week’s Banner, ‘Review the monohull mantra’ and would like to challenge certain aspects of this letter to allow transparency with regards to this argument of catamarans v monohulls and by using factual data.
The MV Alfred has not done a winter season on the west coast of Scotland, so there is no point of reference to conclude the Alfred or catamarans are better suited or not to conditions in the Minch or in the wider Clyde estuary. The Pentland firth is a treacherous bit of water and if people took the time to check when there is bad weather, they will see Pentland Ferries does not sail its boats either, just like all the other ferry companies.
Mr Lamont said in his letter: “Catamarans are also a successful part of the fleet mix serving the Isle of Man and are extensively used worldwide.” This is misleading. I have researched the ferry structure around UK waters. This is important as the UK is in the prevailing winds from the open Atlantic and, as we have already seen, storms can arise, along with 5,000 miles of fetch to bring large swells to our coast. This is very different from island hopping in the Baltic.
According to my calculation, of the 100 vessels owned by ferry operators and the number of ships in their respective fleet in UK waters, only three catamarans are used. Obtaining a larger data set allows us to extrapolate the data, giving a better viewpoint. The last two catamarans were taken out of service by Stena Line after 15 years because of the higher costs. I do not know where the operational efficiency of one third claimed in the letter came from, but during the late 1990s early 2000s catamarans were used and then pulled out by most UK companies as they were too expensive to operate, especially for freight services.
I only present this data for everyone to see based on factual evidence. It is up to the reader to make their own conclusions on this matter. But I am of the opinion large ferry companies understand efficiency, costs and suitability for the operational window of UK waters and have hundreds of years of experience in their teams to make informative decisions on catamarans or mono hulls for their fleet.
Yours,
Duncan Dowie,
Whiting Bay.
Editors note. A data set listing 12 ferry operators and the number of vessels, including three catamarans, was provided but has not being included owing to space restraints.
Fit for purpose
Sir,
When are the political masters going to realise CMAL is not fit for purpose? Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa are years late and, to add insult to injury, the berth at Brodick is no longer fit for purpose in an easterly wind, something they were told before it was built. No doubt no blame will be attached to CMAL as it clearly has a guardian angel watching over it.
Yours,
Eric Gilmour,
Lochwinnoch.
Lifeline service
Sir,
Could someone please explain to CalMac, CMAL and the Scottish misgovernment, the difference between a lifeline and a noose?
Yours,
Richard S Henderson,
Lochranza.