The Scottish Executive, owners of the Calmac ferry service, have agreed to make the second  winter ferry a permanent feature.

Up until now, there has only been only one ferry contracted to run over the winter months, on a reduced timetable.  Last winter's second ferry was added to deal with the rising demand of commercial vehicles, oil tankers etc. that a single ferry simply could not realistically cope with. But it was out with the Calmac/Executive contract, a bonus, and consequently liable to be removed at short notice.

So what we have got is the status quo - but at least it is a step in the right direction.

Thank you for your letter of 29 July 2008 about an additional ferry service for the 2008/09 winter timetable.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, has given

CalMac Ferries Ltd his approval for an additional Islay ferry service over this coming winter.

We consider that this additional service now forms part of the contract and will continue

beyond 2008/09. __ ___._.,

I would be most grateful if you could convey this news to Mr Robin Currie, Mr Neil Scott, Mr John Campbell and Mr Kevin Sutherland.

Yours sincerely

Graham M Laidlaw

Deputy Director