Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

‘The West Highlands has had next to nothing’: Calls for Lochaber transport summit

Angus MacDonald, a multi-millionaire businessman and local councillor, has written an open letter to Transport Secretary Kevin Stewart calling for a summit.

Angus Macdonald is a Liberal Democrat councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan
Angus MacDonald has written an open letter to the government. Image: Supplied

A Highland councillor has written to the Scottish Government to complain of “little or no” investment in Lochaber transport over decades.

Angus MacDonald, who represents Fort William and Ardnamurchan, says the situation has gone on for too long.

Issues like the lack of investment in the Corran Ferry and the A82 have reached boiling point.

In an open letter to Transport Secretary Kevin Stewart, Mr MacDonald – a multi-millionaire businessman in his own right – called on the government to take action.

He wrote: “I write on behalf of all west Highlanders, there are few of any political persuasion who would not support my request below.

The Corran Ferry has broken down causing infrastructure issues in the area. Image: Sandy McCook/ DC Thomson,

“Over the last year, despite letters from (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP) Kate Forbes, the leader of the Highland Council and community councils we were unable to get the former transport minister Jenny Gilruth to come meet to discuss the roads and ferries.

“Scotland has seen £20 billion of infrastructure spend. Within transport there has been a new Forth road bridge, Edinburgh trams, the M8, M73 and M74, the Dundee Waterfront and Aberdeen bypass and two of the 10 sections of the A9 dualled.

“The West Highlands has seen next to nothing in decades.”

He continued: “I would like you and the finance minister Shona Robison to come spend a day in Fort William for a Highland transport summit. You will know that tourism is the lifeblood of the Highlands.

“Please choose a day soon and we will pull together a hundred relevant people. The day should be about action and timetables rather than reviews and consultations.”

Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart is "delighted" the BBC has recognised Aberdeen's "strong case" to host next year's Eurovision. Picture by Kath Flannery/DCT Media.
Transport minister MSP Kevin Stewart. Picture by Kath Flannery/DCT Media.

What would be on the agenda?

Mr MacDonald is keen for discussions to be had on plans to improve the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, the replacement Caledonian Ferries, traffic in Fort William during the summer due the A82, tunnels and litter.

He also wants to discuss the Corran Ferry crossing, which has been hit huge disruption due to the break down of relief vessel Maid of Glencoul. It is going to be out of commission for six to eight weeks – with the Army even being asked to step in to help stranded islanders.

He writes: “Transport Scotland repeats that this is a Highland Council issue.

“However the current £70m proposal for two electric ferries and shore infrastructure is well beyond the funding ability of the Highland Council, and almost three times that of the highest sum awarded by the Westminster Levelling up Fund. We would like a tunnel or bridge replacement to be on the agenda.”

He also believes talks should be had about the A82 from Tarbert to Ardlui alongside Loch Lomond, which is one described as a “dangerous and frightening way for tourists to enter the Highlands, and unfit for buses or trucks.”

Transport secretary Mr Stewart said: “I am acutely aware of many of the issues raised by Councillor MacDonald concerning transport infrastructure and connectivity across the West Highlands.

“Recognising some of the issues being raised are the responsibility of the local authority, I’m seeking information from my officials in order to respond fully to them, and of course I would be happy to meet with the local representatives to discuss their concerns.”

Conversation