Islands ration food as ferries shambles sparks panic buying
Shoppers rush for essentials amid cancellation fears
‘Really embarrassing to not serve tourists’
SHOPS on some of Scotland’s islands were forced to ration essential foods and items last week amid concerns that ferry cancellations have led to people panic buying.
Islanders in the Outer Hebrides have complained of food shortages at stores, with people restricted to one carton of milk and one loaf of bread.
Scottish Government-controlled ferry operator CalMac has been dealing with technical issues in recent days.
Sailings on its North Uist, Harris and Skye ferry the MV Hebrides were disrupted twice in the space of a week.
The 24-year-old ferry had been withdrawn due to a problem with its firefighting system. All sailings on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday between Uig on Skye, Lochmaddy on North Uist and Tarbert on Harris were cancelled.
CalMac apologised and took steps to ease disruption including offering customers alternative routes, providing additional sailings and repositioning one of Mull’s two ferries to provide temporary cover for the Hebrides.
The operator has insisted that all food has been shipped and said it was unfair to say any shortages have come about as a direct result of ferry issues.
It said the MV Hebrides has now been repaired, with an amended schedule running today and a normal timetable from tomorrow.
South Uist was particularly affected by the reported shortages – John Daniel Peteranna, of the Lochboisdale Ferry Business Impact Group, said it was ‘embarrassing’ to not be able to serve essentials to tourists.
Mr Peteranna said: ‘Why isn’t there an automatic plan in place, so that when a ferry goes off there is another there and you do this and that? The shops have been bare. There are three main shops – one on South Uist, one in Benbecula and one on North Uist.
‘People aren’t stupid, they know that there is no ferry and there is usually a daily lorry with fresh stuff. The first thing they do is buy two cartons of milk, or two packs of Lurpak.
‘Co-op staff are more sensible and would say to people, no you don’t need two toilet rolls or two pints, and most people understand.
‘It is really embarrassing that tourists are coming to see these beautiful islands and we are unable to give them essential items.’
Issues with the MV Hebrides firefighting system first occurred in mid-June, with last week’s removal of services being the third time the vessel has had to be repaired for the same problem.
One islander, Abby Coleman, posted on social media: ‘This is getting ridiculous, having limited supplies in shops, as others said above about being limited to one bottle of milk, which sadly is unrealistic for some.’
Tempers have flared in recent days amid issues with ferry services. Police were called in to control frustrated passengers after a spate of sailings were disrupted.
Officers were in attendance at Mallaig, Inverness-shire, and Ardrossan, Ayrshire, after staff were abused in recent days.
Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac, wrote on social media: ‘I know frustrations are running high but please treat our staff with respect – they are doing their utmost to help customers.
‘Police have been asked to attend Mallaig and Ardrossan. Aggressive behaviour towards our staff is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.’
Addressing complaints over supplies, Mr Drummond said: ‘During this latest disruption, we have shipped all the food deliveries we have been asked to take.
‘We prioritise food supplies and nothing has been left on the mainland. Any shortages may be down to supermarket supply chain issues.’
He added: ‘A long-term strategy to replace vessels and improve port infrastructure would improve the capacity we can offer to meet demand and increase resilience.’
A Transport Scotland spokesman said MSPs have requested a thorough investigation into the MV Hebrides fault. They also said CalMac had added a number of additional sailings and operated an additional sailing on Saturday evening between Stornoway and Ullapool to help move freight.
‘Frustrations are running high’