The quality of Arran’s postal service may deteriorate from October.
For 11 years Calum McMillan has been bringing the mail over to Arran in his fishing boat the Unity almost without fail, but two weeks ago he made what could well be his last delivery.
On March 30 the summer ferry timetable came into effect and the contract for bringing mail from the mainland reverted to Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).
Calum told The Banner: ‘Royal Mail hasn’t told me if I will be awarded the contract for next winter because it looks as though the summer ferry timetable will be extended over winter with the Arran ferry being berthed at Ardrossan. I have only failed to get in once in 11 years and that was because of engine failure.
‘How many times will the first ferry not get out of Ardrossan in winter? If I knew that I would not get the contract I would sell my boat now.’
Ken Thorburn, chairman of the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee, said: ‘The decision to extend the winter timetable for a 7am crossing from Ardrossan was taken by the Scottish Executive. One of the things that will be affected will be the fishing boat but I would like to hope it continues to bring in the mail.’
During the winter timetable the Arran ferry is berthed overnight at Brodick, with the first boat into the island arriving at 10.40am.
Arran’s mail is delivered to Calum at Largs yacht haven at 6am. He makes the one hour 50 minutes crossing and by 8am the Unity is usually lying off Brodick.
An Arran Haulage lorry reverses down the linkspan while Calum comes alongside. CalMac staff help to unload the crates of mail which are taken straight to Brodick sorting office.
Calum said: ‘We have even managed to give the Royal Mail and the island a higher quality of service in winter than they get from CalMac in summer.
‘Statistically, our winter service is more reliable than CalMac’s summer one.’
Local North Ayrshire councillor Margie Currie told the Banner: ‘I’ve always thought the service given by Calum McMillan was undervalued.
‘I think he should have been the first person nominated as an Ambassador for Arran in the recent tourism scheme. I would love to support his cause and hope he does not lose the mail contract.’
