Ferry Update

[sarach]

We expect the consultants to report back to their clients (Scottish Government and NI Executive) in the next week to ten days with their completed report. Don't know what the feedback has been like over the water, but the guys who got the job haven't impressed in this neck of the woods. It will be interesting to see what they come back with!

[Ptarmigan]

Last Chance for the Ferry

A summit meeting in Argyll brings together politicians from both sides of the North Channel with positive results but all agree that this could be the final opportunity for the route

I notice you had to take your horse along to that meeting!

It meant that Les Oman, of the Dalriada Business Action Group had to gallop through the presentation he gave to help keep the talks running to time.

It doesn't sound like there's much optimism about though:

But even in a shortened version one thing was agreed by all: this is the last chance to get a ferry service running between Campbeltown and Northern Ireland.

I just hope these words will sink in to the right ears.

The situation has changed dramatically since then; peace in Northern Ireland has seen an opening up of the business and tourism market.
The commercial and agricultural potential is far greater; the price of building materials in Northern Ireland is considerably cheaper than in Scotland and Argyll businesses like M&K MacLeod already uses this market via Stranraer.

The vast majority of farm implements come from Northern Ireland. Irish and Kintyre fishing boats often work out of opposite sides of the channel and crews would be able to commute home by ferry; tradesmen and women from both locations would have new markets and a ferry would increase the size of the local labour pool in both communities.
All aspects of tourism would benefit, from day trippers and coach parties to specialist niche markets like golfing, natural history, heritage, culture and the whisky trail. Bushmills Whiskey Distillery in Northern Ireland could link into the Scottish Whisky Trail and vice versa.

Last chance for ferry

My fingers & toes remain crossed!

Cheers
Ptarmigan