While waiting for the new 90 metre monohull ordered from Poland’s Remontowa shipyard for the Islay ferry route and due for delivery in the Spring of 2011, west coast ferry operator, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) has agreed to continue last winter’s arrangements for a second ship on the route. It has also removed the restriction previously placed on freight. In addition to increased demand for passenger and car access to the island, the distillers of the legendary Islay malts have been increasing production over the last few years and needed an improved freight service to support this growth. They will welcome CalMac’s decision.

A related matter of curiosity in Argyll this year has been the announcement by the owners of Campbeltown’s Springbank Distillery that it is ceasing production for the time being because of falling demand. It has set no date for restarting. The situation they claim is far from the experience of the Islay distillers and Scotland’s whisky industry remains perplexed by the Springbank decision.