Around the Scottish Coast - an Army of Ferry Experts

[Telo]

In what was, presumably, a response to a complaint about relief facilities during the MV Clansman's recent difficulties, the Scottish Review reports this delightful reply from Caledonian MacBrayne's MD Philip Preston to an Islay hotelier;

'I am aware that there is an army of ferry experts out there eager to impart their wisdom on every aspect of our services, but I would respectfully suggest that the only ferry experts whose view is worth listening to is our own'.

So that's you tellt....

The earth belongs unto the Lord
And all that it contains,
Except for the Kyles and the Western Isles
And they belong to Macbrayne's.

[Mark]

I didn't know Calmac was state owned.

Avoiding paying national insurance contributions seems odd unless they make a loss and trying to minimize the public perception of that loss. Anyone elaborate?

[Ocklepoint]

Rudely off thread but...................

The image above the Scottish Review makes an interesting "Where is it?"

Catterline?

[Mark]

Rudely off thread but...................

The image above the Scottish Review makes an interesting "Where is it?"

Catterline?

I wonder if it's Portnahaven, Islay?

I'm guessing it might have been taken by Islay McLeod.

[cpedw]

I didn't know Calmac was state owned.

Avoiding paying national insurance contributions seems odd unless they make a loss and trying to minimize the public perception of that loss. Anyone elaborate?

I'm no expert but it's probably connected with the requirement for Calmac to tender competitively now and then for the routes. Last time, a year or 3 ago, I seem to remember that there was a row when a competitor withdrew from tendering at a very late stage, leaving Calmac as the only option.
Derek