For several weeks now, concerns about the Maid of Glencoul ferry ramps have been raised repeatedly. These concerns arise not just online but also at community council meetings across the peninsulas. Constituents from Ardnamurchan, Morvern, and beyond have spoken directly to me. This hasn’t been a passing comment or a single unhappy motorist: it has been a persistent theme in local discussion.
Some residents from West Ardnamurchan have chosen to turn right at Salen and drive the long route via Glenfinnan. They do this simply to avoid the risk of damaging their vehicles. That tells you how serious this is.
At the latest Corran Ferry Steering Group meeting, however, officers initially dismissed these concerns. Their explanation was that “this has always been a problem” and that motorists were simply approaching incorrectly. Community representatives responded vehemently. They made it clear that while low-slung cars have always needed caution, normal family vehicles have never encountered this level of difficulty. These vehicles have not suffered this kind of damage before. The idea that this is somehow the fault of motorists is unacceptable.
One point must be emphasised: the ferry crew are doing a sterling job. They have been supporting drivers on and off the ferry whenever needed and handling difficult conditions with professionalism. The issue is not the crew. It is the condition and alignment of the ramps. Officers are unwilling to acknowledge what residents, users, and the crew themselves are observing.
Lochaber councillors were previously told that because the Maid of Glencoul came into service at short notice, there had been no time to realign the ramps. Swells on the Corran Narrows had made the angles worse. We were further reassured that this had since been rectified, and the crew were no longer required to guide vehicles.
Yet the complaints have continued. The experience of residents hasn’t changed. There is clearly an underlying problem still to be addressed.
Despite this, officers refused repeatedly during the meeting to accept that an issue remained. They pushed back against the very idea of an urgent inspection. It took sustained challenge from myself and community representatives before common sense eventually prevailed and an inspection was finally agreed.
I welcome that decision. However, I am also deeply disappointed it took such pressure to achieve something so obviously needed. This points to a wider problem within the SNP-led administration. A culture of denial has taken hold. Councillors’ questions are not answered, either through reluctance or inadequate briefing. Community concerns are minimised rather than acknowledged.
It is the same administration that wanted to reduce the crucial community liaison meetings — previously held every six weeks — to just twice a year. Only through my intervention was a compromise of quarterly meetings secured. Even that is not enough, but it is better than what they tried to push through.
What is clear is this:
They don’t want scrutiny. They don’t want questions. They don’t want community opinion shaping decisions.
Well, I do — and I always will.
Residents deserve honesty, action, and respect. This urgent inspection must now happen quickly, thoroughly, and transparently. And I will continue to push for proper long-term solutions so that ferry users across Lochaber can travel safely, without fear of damage or dismissal.
If you’ve experienced problems, or raised this at your local community council, or have concerns about using the ramps, please get in touch. Your voice is essential to making sure the council listens — and acts.