Submission from Chris Ryan on behalf of 52 businesses – 3 April 2008

Dear Sir/Madam 7-DAY FERRY SERVICES TO LEWIS & HARRIS The undersigned businesses, all based in the Western Isles, request that Sunday ferry services to Lewis & Harris should be introduced in the summer of 2008. This will be a necessary and long overdue development with the potential to improve the islands’ tourism industry in line with the Scottish Governments’ target of a 50% increase in tourism revenues. The proposed introduction of RET fares from October 2008 is also likely to result in increased demand and additional capacity will be needed to cope with peak season demand, particularly at weekends. However, our view as businesses is that Sunday services must be phased-in ahead of RET and that they should certainly be in place for summer 2008. Apart from the immediate boost for the local economy, this would give accommodation providers and tourism related businesses an indication of the response to weekend services and allow for business planning for the summer of 2009, which is the Year of Homecoming. Quite apart from the many social benefits, Sunday ferry services will make a major difference to the local economy by extending the tourist season, enabling businesses to work more efficiently and spreading visitor benefits throughout the islands. As a specific example, the Hebridean Celtic Festival, held in July, attracts over 15,000 people and contributes over £1m to the local economy. A Sunday ferry service would mean that many visitors to the festival would stay an extra night, enjoy all 4 –days of the festival and see more of the islands. The businesses listed are just a sample of those that support and would benefit from the normalisation of ferry links to Lewis & Harris. Representatives of these businesses are willing to meet with the Committee of Inquiry if there is an opportunity. Please reply to myself and I will copy your reply to all the co-signatories of this letter.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Ryan Out and About Tours

CONTACT BUSINESS NAME & ADDRESS

Donnie & Dena Macdonald RODIL HOTEL Rodil, Isle of Harris

James Crawford TIGH MEALROS ,

Angus M Smith WILD BLUE , Isle of Lewis

Eileen Macdonald DOUNE BRAES HOTEL , Isle of Lewis

Johannes Engebretsen VIKING PAINTBALL , Isle of Lewis

Charles Engebretsen ENGEBRET LTD Stornoway Isle of Lewis

Charles Engebretsen THE TRADING POST Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

David Pearce CARLTON LOUNGE & BAR 19 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

John Mackinnon JOHN MACKINNON IMAGES 67 Upper , Isle of Lewis

C. A. Mackay SUNDOWN COTTAGES, Achmore, Isle of Lewis

K. Stewart MOJA 14 New Street, Back, Isle of Lewis

Murdo Macaulay HEBRIDES DESIGN SERVICES Keose, Isle of Lewis

Moray Weir THE STAR INN 13 South Beach, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Alex Tearse REEFNET 17 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Tim Pickering ADVENTURE HEBRIDES 28 Coll, Back, Isle of Lewis

Tim Pickering & Tommy BIKE HEBRIDES Cunningham 28 Coll, Back, Isle of Lewis

Donald Macinnes MOLLANS COTTAGES 32, North , Isle of Lewis

Anna Murray BREANISH TWEED Adabrock, Ness, Isle of Lewis

Peter Morrison CROFT COTTAGE 52 Newmarket, Isle of Lewis

Jason King J KING BOILER SERVICING Knock Point Isle of Lewis

Ian Fordham BROADBAY HOUSE Back, Isle of Lewis

Bernard Fish & Geraldine LOCH ERISORT INN Curran South Lochs, Isle of Lewis

Lisa Maclean CROWBERRY Back, Isle of Lewis

Graham Lowder HAL O’THE WYND Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Chris Ryan OUT AND ABOUT TOURS Valasay, , Isle of Lewis Cree Mackenzie HEBRIDEAN SEAFOODS Scaliscro Lodge, Uig, Isle of Lewis

Graham Maclellan HEBRIDES SELF-CATERING 7 Sand Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Sue & Alex Blair BORGH POTTERY Borgh, Isle of Lewis

Derek Macleod HEBSURF , Isle of Lewis

Abarok Ali STORNOWAY BALTI HOUSE North Beach St, Stornoway

Anne Ryan VALASAY SELF-CATERING HOLIDAYS Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis

Neil Stewart STORNOWAY SPARES 8 Bells Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Ross Macleod LIMELIKE 26 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Coinneach Macleod WELCOME INN , Isle of Lewis

Barbara Burns BARBARABURNS B&B 34 Newton Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Moira & Tim Baker TRAKMINER Valasay, Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis

Marie Maclennan WESTWINDS 34 Newton Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Derek Macpherson FERNLEA 9 Matheson Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

John M Maciver JOHN MACIVER ASSOCIATES Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Murdo O’Connor HEBRIDEAN HYGIENE LTD 3 Mill Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Janette O’Connor HEBRIDEAN WATER COOLERS LTD Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Neil Mackay NEIL MACKAY & CO, BUILDING CONTRCATORS Rigs Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Fiona & Leslie Trotter TWEEDS WITH STYLE The Old School, Drinnishader, Isle of Harris

Alan Anderson LOCH DUART LTD Sheilavaig, South Uist

Donald Macleod DONALD MACLEOD MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT 7 James Street, Stornoway Isle of Lewis

James Maclennan J MACLENNAN BUILDERS 8 Smith Avenue, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Mary Maclennan GREENACRES GUEST HOUSE 8, Smith Avenue, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Mark Tayburn HIGHLAND METAL RECYCLING Bennadrove Road, Isle of Lewis

Mark Tayburn RED RIVER DISTILLERY Carnish, Uig, Isle of Lewis

Iain Marvin I MARVIN, PLUMBING & HEATING Clinton’s Yard, Rigs Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

James Smith OISEVAL GALLERY Brue, Isle of Lewis

Ken Kennedy SHIANT VIEW COTTAGE Lochs, Isle of Lewis