Tomorrow will see the completion of the £2m refurbishment of Sconser Ferry Terminal on the Isle of Skye. Contractor, McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd began work on the upgrade in November last year. 
The works were funded by The Highland Council and European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) and have included the construction of a new waiting room and toilets, car parking and marshalling facilities and remodelling of the slipway.
From tomorrow, passengers and vehicles will be able to use the new car park and marshalling area at the terminal.
The completion of Sconser Terminal brings to an end works to upgrade the Sconser – Raasay ferry route. The Raasay Ferry Terminal at Churchton Bay was opened in the summer of 2010 following concerns over the poor state of the old terminal at Suisnish. Careful design and programming has minimised disruption to the ferry service during the works to both terminals. The new facilities on either side of the crossing will ensure the continuation of a reliable service between the two islands for tourists and residents and will provide a more comfortable journey for all.
The route is now capable of accommodating the new Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, Loch Class ferry the MV Hallaig. The MV Hallaig was built at the Ferguson Shipyard in Port Glasgow and is currently undergoing sea trials on the Clyde. She has a modern propulsion system which incorporates the latest green technology, a low-carbon hybrid diesel/electric system, using lithium ion batteries which will be charged overnight whilst the ship is berthed at Raasay. She is due to begin service with Caledonian MacBrayne on the route in the autumn. Her name comes from a poem written by Sorley Maclean about Hallaig, an abandoned township on the Isle of Raasay.
Councillor Graham Phillips, Chair, the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee said:
“I am delighted that we have provided very much improved facilities at Sconser to accommodate the ferry traffic heading to Raasay. This is good news for the residents of Raasay and the general travelling public. We now look forward to the new ferry arriving later in the year.”
