Apart from the 4 on the Oban to South Uist crossing, CalMac only had cancellations on the popular Gourock to Dunoon route. 12 out of only 58 sailings were cut, leading to suggestions from one not very reliable source, ‘JackieB‘ that this would cause a mass exodus from both places.
Up to 7 people known to our source in Dunoon have said that ferry unreliability has made peninsular life untenable and they’re thinking of moving permanently to Gourock.
Coincidentally, up to 7 people known to our source in Gourock have said they cannot live a good life in old age unless they can visit a peninsula at any time of the day and may have to move to Dunoon.
TuS Housing Inc will be in touch.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Perhaps we could bring back The Royal Yacht Britannia to fill in when Calmac cannot meet its obligations on the Clyde ?
We could get Jim McColl , tycoon , to arrange the refurbishment and sign the contracts and it could be soon serving the public in a matter of ,oh , two or three decades .
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Brilliant…
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As someone who has lived in Dunoon for over 40 years and Norway for 7, I am beyond tired of hearing endless, and fruitless, criticism and discussion of the ferry connection between Cowal and Inverclyde. No matter what ferry solution is arrived at, the reality is that connectivity will not be advanced one iota from the standard obtained in the Victorian era. It will still be costly, take around 30 mins for part of the day ( the other part, ie overnight, there is no ferry service) and is weather and speed-limited. Sick and injured people will still on occasion require to be medivaced by helicopter to a hospital that could be only a few kilometres away as the crow flies. This is a serious disincentive to people (especially the young) commuting to work/ study on “the other side”, and also to development of inward investment and tourism. Instead we get immigration of a capital-rich type of retiree, and emigration of the very lifeblood of any community: young people.
The Norwegian solution would without doubt be a tunnel, which in comparison to the money spent thus far on “ferry solutions” would be an absolute winner in terms of capital costs; the economic and social advantages would be without doubt in a different league altogether. More than one Transport Minister has apparently taken field trips to the Faroes and other countries where tunnels are the norm, come back enthused, and yet nothing happens. Why not?
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Well if we had a sovereign wealth fund I reckon Scotland would have loads of tunnels. Not just under the sea either.
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40 years without a tunnel. Ridiculous. How do people cope? Only with a ferry.
1 Ferry a year is built. Just like before. Labour/LidDem. An increase in tourism after Covid is making a strain. Two fuel saving ferries are due. Plus another two (Turkey) to cope with the increase activity.
It is a shame that young people cannot be educated at home. Have to leave on a ferry. It can be a lifestyle choice. People can move. Many rural places have less transport options. Only car. .
Edinburgh the wealthiest city in Scotland has subsidised transport. The Trams. People from other areas are not allowed to use their bus passes on the trams. Paid for by all taxpayers. Bus passes take people all over Scotland. Especially the elderly. Rail travel £1 for children. Other offers. For the £15 ones. £15 has to be spent getting the card for the offer. Cheaper just to buy a ticket.
The Scottish Gov has improved connectivity. Build bridges, Queensferry Crossing, Border railway, and roads AWPR after forty years. The tunnels might come next, A tunnel was built in Belfast getting into the City with EU funds, Roads built in Ireland connecting North & South funded by EU funds.
4 ferries on the go being built Isabel improvement. Especially saving fuel costs. More to be built in the future? With the new technology. Spend £millions to save £Billions. On the right route. The Northern isles benefitted greatly from the Oil & Gas industry. They had a sovereign fund. George Clarke? Now depleted. The Orkneys are considered one of the best places to leave. Come out top in all the surveys. Hang on help is coming. Lots of new ferries and tunnels?
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A Independent Scotland would use our wealth to improve our situation including tunnels for connections, also road situations like the road “Rest and be Thankful” I enjoy the sail and fresh air! Working puts travel into perspective! The boats of the future and for environment is dual fuel. Scotland trying everything for our planet, and helping others in this project. After Westminster doing completely the opposite, failed miserably at COP 26!!
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