Eigg residents say their businesses are taking a huge hit due to ferry operator CalMac’s prioritising of non-landing passengers.
CalMac runs a daily lifeline service to the Small Isles from Mallaig, taking in Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna.
Unlike the other days of the week, on Mondays passengers have the opportunity to land on Eigg at 11.25am, spend a few hours on the island and get a return sailing to Mallaig at 4.25pm.
The ferry takes no cars and can accommodate 100 foot passengers.
Eigg residents arranged a Monday market as a showcase for the island’s artisans and food producers, and other businesses benefited from the influx up to 100 visitors.
This year the businesses say they have taken a massive hit, because CalMac is prioritising coaches taking up to 90 passengers on a Small Isles cruise.
The passengers stay aboard for the day, returning to Mallaig shortly before 6pm.
The result is that the ferry only has space for a handful of other passengers, including tourists and islanders returning home.
On behalf of the Island of Eigg Residents’ Association, businessman Owain Wyn-Jones said residents are frustrated and feel ignored by CalMac.
He said: “We had the same issue last year and we made representations to CalMac to no avail.
“We’re going through the same thing this year and suspect the season will be over and nothing will have happened yet again.
“We understand they must make a profit, but they offer a lifeline service so it can’t be at the expense of residents and their businesses.”
Mr Wyn-Jones said the business he runs with his wife Laraine, Eigg Adventures, is down 27.1% this year.
“It’s a big hole and not sustainable.
“The Monday problem is not only affecting the shop and other small business, it’s beginning to affect accommodation providers because people can’t even get to the island.”
Stuart Fergusson runs the Galmisdale Bay Café and Bar close to the pier.
He said: “Monday was always our busiest day, with up to 100 passengers coming off the boat. Now we have 25 if we’re lucky.
“It’s not only threatening for business but for the community as a whole.”
Camille Dressler is a director of the Isle of Eigg Craft Shop.
She said: “Some tourists and residents haven’t been able to get here, others haven’t been able to get off the island because of the situation.
“We’ve made a lot of representations to CalMac but they listen with one ear only.”
A CalMac spokesman said: “Like all our routes the Small Isles is a non-bookable route, and our contract with Transport Scotland obliges us to accept traffic as it arrives.
“However we appreciate the community concerns around available space, and have been working proactively with the tour operator to mitigate the problem.
“For the 2020 season we are working with the tour operator to look at alternative days when there is less demand and all customers can be accommodated.”
