Highland communities left stranded due to the ongoing ferry crisis have been urged to seek help from the Ministry of Defence. MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, Ian Blackford, has requested
the military’s “short-term solution” for the rural residents who are now isolated as the Corran Ferry remains out of action.
The ferry’s main vessel, MV Corran, was taken away to dry dock due to mechanical issues, and the relief vessel, the Maid of Glencoul, broke down last Friday.
Highland Council confirmed that both vessels are unlikely to operate for another six to eight weeks. Locals rely on ferry services on a daily basis and are now forced to take an hour-long journey along Loch Linnhe.
The six-minute crossing across the Corran Narrows is one of the busiest routes in Scotland, with the ferry carrying over 270,000 cars every year. The military is working to identify a suitable vessel to work the route and alleviate problems on the network. Photo by Richard Townshend, Wikimedia commons.