Corran Ferry expected to remain out-of-service until weekend

Corran Ferry passengers have been warned it is not likely to be back in service until at least the weekend.

MV Maid of Glencoul was withdrawn from service on Tuesday due to steering fault – just 24 hours after returning to service following repairs.

Highland Council – which operates the service – insist getting it back up and running is a “matter of urgency”.

However, they have today warned crossings are unlikely to resume this week as they need approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

In a statement, posted on the Corran Ferry Twitter page, they wrote: “Engineers are resolving a technical issue which will then need to be signed off by MCA.

“This means it is likely the service will be off for a few more days unfortunately. The Ardgour to Fort William passenger service is now available until normal service resumes.”

In the meantime, however, residents will need to drive around Loch Linnhe – adding an hour and 45 minutes to their journeys.

Commuters have been experiencing disruption onboard the Corran Ferry for the last five days.

A specialist engineer was called to the Lochaber port on Saturday after a technical fault was discovered onboard.

‘It has shaken the trust of local communities’

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro has called for a meeting between government ministers and Highland Council to help find a long-term solution to regaining the trust of local communities.

He said: “This can’t go on like this.

“Despite the best efforts of crews and staff, the repeated issues with the Corran ferry are more than just an inconvenience for those who rely on the crossing.

“What is needed urgently is a meeting between Highland Council and the Scottish Government on delivering a solution.

“Local residents and businesses deserve better than the unreliable service and ongoing uncertainty they’re getting now.

“They need to see action, not just more talk from Edinburgh and from Inverness”.