I was the first car NOT to get on Saturdays sailing from Uig on Skye to Lochmaddy on North Uist in the 12 long standby queue. The reason the queues are so long is the new cheaper fares (hooray!) - but you'd have to book months in advance now to get a space on a weekend sailing. I was heading over to try and get to Splash MacKillop's funeral - so when I didnt get on, after waiting from 12.25 for the 2pm decision -- I grabbed my bike and a bag and left the car on the pier withe the keys in the ignition (as arranged with the Cal mac guys) so they would bring it over on Sunday. Fair enough I thought, through slightly gritted teeth. Them's the breaks. But when I got on board i found a whole row empty beside the motorhomes that are causing controversy on the Western Isles right now. They are the same length as a long car (under 5 metres) but far wider. So having one of them seems to mean having an empty car lane beside them. Now fair enough. Backseat drivers are nothing compared to backseat ferry-loaders. and there were complaints too that the ferry was so jam-packed already that people couldnt open their car doors. But I'd humbly suggest that's a tad less frustrating than sitting on the quayside to hang around Skye for another day (as happened to the five other cars behind me) . Ive got nothing against folk in motorhomes -- there's so little accomodation here on the islands that its a very wise thing to bring the kitchen sink! and the islands will have to decide how much they really want to accomodate tourists in every sense of the word (and on every day of the week) or risk losing this new boom. But wouldnt it be possible to load the wide vans on first so they sit at the front and then have three full lanes free for ordinary cars?
I'm off to cycle from Berneray to Lochmaddy now to see if the car is there- its not raining AND the wind is westerly -- right at my back. Happy Days.
You can read more in my column in the Scotsman on Monday -- but if you've had a similar experience or are a motorhome owner who wants to put me right -- comment away!!!
As a Uist resident and member of a community group which is trying to promote the islands to visitors, I have sought opinions from some local businesses as to the benefits of the campervan trade.
Cafes, a restaurant, shops and a filling station all informed me that they have had very little benefit from the increased traffic.
In fact, it has been reported that many campervanners bring all their own supplies with them, including jerry-cans of fuel in some cases.
No doubt there will be campervanners who enter into the spirit of their visit and contribute to the island's economy.
Perhaps the local enterprise company could take a survey of local businesses to establish where the truth lies?
Posted by: Uist eco-warrior | August 03, 2009 at 07:10 PM