Everyone growing up on the Hebrides and along Scotland’s west coast knows a version of the parody CalMac psalm; “Unto the Lord belongs the earth, and all that it contains – except the Kyles and Western Isles for they are all MacBraynes.”

I used to think this was simply a semi-humorous ditty which was composed as an illustration of the almighty all-reaching power of Caledonian MacBrayne, and their utter dominance of life on Scotland’s west coast. Whilst the passage of time has more than shown that for good or ill the power continues to rule unchecked, it has also exposed an additional and I suspect unwelcome interpretation – and that is of our state ferry service being answerable to no one; not even the Lord himself.

As a son of South Uist I am more familiar than most with the challenges created by the more off than on ferry service that has become so adept at neglecting the island of my birth. Like every single Uibhisteach in exile I have family members and friends who endure the constant uncertainty and suffer as a direct result.

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My personal inconvenience at having to find long circuitous routes home is nothing compared to their daily frustrations at the wholly unreliable ferry service. Every single aspect of life is influenced by the ferries. The supply of food, of goods, of services. The viability of businesses, tourism and crofting. The ability to love, access specialist medical services and to mourn; the ferries dominate it all. Yet no one has listened and done something about it before........

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