Sunday sailings

Atlantic Lines reopens with the announcement that local ferry operator Calmac will start running a regular ferry on Sundays between Stornoway and Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. Unlike during the week, there will be only one crossing each way, leaving Lewis at 2.30pm, Ullapool at 6.15pm and returning to the island at 9pm.

Sunday sailings were opposed for many years by people wishing to retain the unique Lewis way of life, and/or for reasons of Sabbath observance. Personally, whilst deeply respecting the sincerely held religious convictions of those people, the inconsistencies had become so glaring that it was only a matter of time before the MV Isle of Lewis would show itself beyond the Arnish Lighthouse on Sundays. I mean, within the island chain covered by Western Isles Council, ferries were already running on Sundays, planes were flying on Sundays (out of the Stornoway airport) - and the pubs are open on a Sunday.