Stornoway’s controversial Sunday ferry clocks up its fifth year this weekend.
Ferry operator Caledonian Macbrayne came under fierce criticism when it launched the first ever regular Sunday service to the Presbyterian stronghold of Lewis on July 19 2009.
In its first 12 months, around 6,000 cars were shipped across the Minch on the Sabbath.
Sunday observance is a strong tradition even amongst non-churchgoers and the contentious decision to start a seven-day service by an outside quango – owned by the Scottish Government – angered many protestors.
Officially, Western Isles Council is still opposed to its operation and the way it was introduced.
Five years ago, hundreds of islanders crowded onto the Stornoway ferry terminal to witness the historic sailing by the MV Isle of Lewis. People clambered to find a good viewing space.
Those in favour broke into spontaneous applause while protestors from the Free Church Continuing sung psalms as the vessel departed the quayside.
Local views are split between islanders warning it breaks the 4th Commandment to honour the Lord’s Day while others say it should be looked upon as an essential marine route to the mainland.
Sunday ferry campaigner Uisdean Macleod said: “There has been nothing but positive benefits for everyone living on Lewis and for people who have family living on the island since the Sunday sailing started.
“Its been busy week in, week out.”
Mr Macleod: “It has not affected the way of life here.”
He said people who want to observe the Sabbath can still do so and are not impacted by the ferry.
The Rev Greg Macdonald, chairman of the Lewis branch of the Lord’s Day Observance Society (LDOS) said the fundamental objections against the Sunday ferries have not changed.
He said the campaign was to honour God which “cannot be drowned out by noisy ferries.”
“Its not the islands that changed but the country as a whole has gone away from observing the Lord’s Day and remembering what the day is about.
Mr Macdonald said: “People don’t always want to be reminded about heaven or hell, or about Jesus or sin.
He pointed out that increase of activities on Sundays makes this the “new normal” thus diluting the importance of the Sabbath “being a different day” for the rising generation.
At the time Cal Mac said it was forced to introduce the Sunday sailings as it was “religious discrimination” against some in the community not to do so.
It faced pressure from a group of islanders who maintained the absence of a Sunday sailing was in breach of the Equality Act 2006 and complained to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.