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Thousands object as CalMac discusses Sunday sailings

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"Our Sabbath has contributed to a safe, peaceful environment"
Published Date:
26 November 2007
A CAMPAIGN of opposition against the prospect of Sunday ferry sailings to Lewis is gaining pace as Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), the ferry operator, prepares to discuss the controversial issue this week.
A petition organised by the Lord's Day Observation Society (LDOS) has been signed by 3,760 residents of Lewis and Harris. It has been sent to CalMac officials, who will debate the matter at a board meeting in Fort William on Wednesday.

Representatives of the branch have met Alasdair Allan, the Western Isles MSP, and are awaiting a meeting with Stewart Stevenson, the transport secretary, to discuss the issue.

Reverend Andrew Coghill, vice-chairman of the Lewis branch of the LDOS, said: "The number of people who signed the protest petition has been very encouraging given the limited time available to us."

He said a number of names were taken off the petition as the people did not live on the island, but the support showed the strength of feeling against Sunday sailings.

"There is no doubt in our minds that, if a Sunday ferry service was introduced, it would lead to demands for other facilities to be opened and erode a way of life that has had positive benefits for our community over the generations.

"Sunday is a precious element of our Christian heritage. Our Sabbath has contributed to a safe, peaceful environment, free from secular pressures, and is appreciated by locals and visitors, churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike."

The strictly Sabbatarian island of Lewis has so far resisted Sunday ferries, although a seven-day service to the neighbouring island of Harris began last year.

The issue was put back on the agenda in September when CalMac, which operates the crossing from Stornoway to Ullapool, received a number of letters pressing for a seven-day link. Supporters say an extended service would bring social and economic benefits to the island and that Sunday travel should be a matter of individual choice.

The ferry company has insisted it has no plans to introduce Sunday sailings to Lewis, but said it would consider any requests to do so.

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  • Last Updated: 25 November 2007 10:19 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Caledonian MacBrayne
 
1

Bret,

Ex Pat 26/11/2007 03:20:03

If members of the LDOS sect don't want to travel by ferry on their sabbath, then they are free to choose not to.
The tiny minded religious bible thumpers of Lewis are entitled to pursue their lifestyle, but attempts to mandate or manipulate private enterprise efforts are nothing more than being thrawn in the name of religion.

2

Scott_B,

26/11/2007 07:41:52

Why not hold a referendum on the island and see what the majority would like? I understand the LDOS recognise a tradition they want to maintain, but times and people change.

From the human perspective, these days it seems perhaps strange to lead a restricted existence for 1/7th of your life. I wonder if the people of the island would like to do more?

3

Boy Wonder,

26/11/2007 09:40:01

If the LDOS don't want Sunday ferry services that's fine ... if it's an absolute majority, they must get their wish. As long as the opposition is small enough for these fine Christians to walk all over as per their usual traditions! That's democracy, isn't it?

If however, the opposition is large enough in numbers and the majority is very small, perhaps the LDOS members would care to live only in a specific part of Lewis, so that the non-LDOS can have the ferry in another part? Doesn't that make sense?

And in 20 years time or so, the children of the LDOS will leave the island to work, while their aging 18th century parents die out and the whole island can be reclaimed by reasonable people of the 21st Century.

4

Cadgers,

Perth 26/11/2007 09:53:00

"Reverend Andrew Coghill" Coghill, now yon's a fine Scottish name!
Where's Guga and Dave frae Barra on this one?

5

Guga II,

Rockall 26/11/2007 09:57:01

These are the same bigots that had a demonstration at the airport when the Sunday flights started, and the same bigots who, years ago, lay on the road to try and stop the Skye sunday ferry.

They are a slowly decreasing minority, and their attempts to block Sunday sailings are doomed to failure. MacBrayne's (Scottish government) could find itself taken to court for breaching the human rights of those islanders who wish to have the same travel facilities as everyone else in the country, and that includes the ability to travel on a Sunday.

Many years ago, these bigots used to walk to church. Then they started taking buses. However, they didn't pay the driver till Monday! Now they all drive their own cars. They don't read Sunday papers, printed on a Saturday, but do read Monday papers, printed on a Sunday.

I like my quiet Sundays, but I have the right to do as I please on a Sunday, and that includes travelling. These curamachs have got no right to try and stop me. However, their influence is waning, and eventually commonsense will prevail.

6

I'm no really here,

26/11/2007 11:14:33

Seems like some of the posters here are the bigots. A protest has been organised in a democratic way. The purpose is to preserve a way of life which none of you lead. It's not the purpose to force people into churches. It's purpose is ensure that people like these posters don't bother going to Lewis and demanding the corner shop opens on a Sunday to sell them Buckfast and Sherry.

#5 These people DON'T have a right to stop you, you're right, but they DO have a right to do whatever they can to preserve their way of life, and be successful at it - if that's what the majority of Islanders want.

7

I'm no really here,

26/11/2007 11:16:08

A bit like unionists protests at Sir Sean: If you don't live there - SHUT UP.

8

AbandonAllHope,

26/11/2007 12:14:38

Ingies garage in Stornoway is stowed on a Sunday, obviously theres a huge demand for some form of Sunday trading, but there is a great loss in the sanctimony of a Sunday when trading takes over as its been eroded from most parts of Scotland. However there is a business case for the Lewis sunday ferry whjch overrides the wee free bams views. The islands in terminal decline, business are closing down and/or moving to the mainland, the sunday ferry may be the only way forward, tourism only lasts the summer season, theres fek all else there really.


Can somebody explain why Stornoway airport works on a Sunday, so whats the problem with a ferry ?

9

David Harrington,

Edinburgh 26/11/2007 12:31:13

#6 You are missing the point - which is that a few religious bigots are trying to force everybody back into the dark ages

10

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 26/11/2007 12:43:59

We have Sunday sailings in Barra as we are a Catholic island and a little more relaxed about it than the Wee Free's.


The big difference being we respect peoples "choices", the Wee Free's respect only themselves and thier strict interpretation of the bible. It will, inevitabley, be thier loss as Lewis continues to depopulate and the missing demograph of people (18 to 30) never return.

11

sam the god,

26/11/2007 12:55:54

If they do not want to use the ferry on a Sunday that is up to them but they are not very Christian if they are trying to impose there own will on everyone that wants a Sunday ferry.

12

David Ban,

Praying in Spain. 26/11/2007 13:06:11

When I want a day of spiritual peace and quiet without the demands of a selfish,consumer orientated pagan Society I go to Lewis for a Sunday.

13

grumpy200,

Edinburgh 26/11/2007 18:22:12

Why do the protesters still express concern about the sanctity of "the Sabbath". this Jewish word means seventh and was originally the Saturday. The change came at the Congress in Nicea at the start of the 5th century when the emperor decided to make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. He wanted some concesions which could mollify the pagans and the change of weekly religious day to Sunday, thr Day of the Sun, was for this purpose. So too was the decision to make the Winter Solstice a day of celebration and the Christian Church decided that this would be a suitable to remember the birth of Jesus, although he was actually born on a different date , in a different place.

Folks should get their Church history right!

14

,

26/11/2007 20:46:20
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason: Scotsman Import, Original comment id: 1176027, Article id was mapped to record!
15

Native Islander,

Stornoway 26/11/2007 21:21:42

Just back on the Island today, no ferry yesterday so another days annual leave taken up. Took my son swimming yesterday though.... Something else I cant do here on a Sunday.... As for those who do not wish to do anything on a Sunday, the answers simple, dont.

16

Neilgue,

Melbourne 26/11/2007 23:20:13

At least we can be thankful that they don't feel the need to murder anyone who disturbs their Sunday...

17

Pete39,

Tassy 27/11/2007 06:02:03

Well you can blame the Wee Frees or whatever, but fifty years ago I would reckon all Scottish families respected the Sabbath. Not too painful. Nowadays with the encouragement of multi nationals and the rest you have obviously changed your minds. Are you any better off?

18

Native Islander,

Stornoway 27/11/2007 08:42:14

In reply to Pete39, yes we are much better off. We now live in a much more tolerant multicultural world.


 

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