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Sunday ferry makes first sailing Sunday ferry makes first sailing
(29 minutes later)
The controversial first Sunday ferry sailing from Stornoway on Lewis to mainland Scotland has gone ahead as planned, despite protests. The controversial first scheduled Sunday ferry sailing from Stornoway on Lewis to mainland Scotland has gone ahead as planned.
There has been strong opposition to the service on the island, where Sunday has traditionally been strictly observed, There has been strong opposition on the island, where the Sabbath day has traditionally been strictly observed.
A small group of protesters gathered in Stornoway ahead of the sailing to Ullapool, which left at about 1430 BST. A small group of protesters prayed and sang a psalm as cars boarded the boat, but several hundred people clapped.
Operators CalMac said they could not refuse to operate a service on the grounds of religion or belief. Supporters said it would boost the economy of the Hebridean island and offer local people freedom to travel.
A replacement vessel had been operating on the route since the usual Isle of Lewis ferry suffered engine problems on Friday. A small group of about a dozen protesters gathered in Stornoway ahead of the sailing to Ullapool, which left at 1430 BST.
The MV Isle of Arran was drafted in to make crossings on Saturday but the Isle of Lewis was back in service to make the first scheduled Sunday crossing. Equality laws
The plan for a sailing on the island's Sabbath day has been controversial. As cars lined up in the ferry terminal car park, protesters gathered in silence behind a banner.
Councillors in the Western Isles opposed the Sunday service, describing it as an attack on the culture, heritage and way of life in Lewis. It read: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy".
However, others said it would be a great benefit to the islands. They sang Psalm 46 - God is our refuge and our strength - and prayed for the nation to "turn its back from sin and wickedness".
CalMac managing director Phil Preston said the main issue was legal advice which said refusing to provide a service on the grounds of religion or belief would "most likely" be in breach of the Equalities Act 2006. A number of women wiped away tears as they prayed for a return to the Lord's commandments.
The Reverend Dr James Tallach of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland said it "grieved the spirit when the law of God is broken". Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said it could be breaking equality laws if it did not run ferries seven days a week.
He said the fourth commandment states "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy". Campaigners for the service said it would be good for tourism and offer those who want to use it more flexibility about when they travel.
"CalMac made a great play that they must keep the law", he said. As the ferry left Stornoway a crowd of several hundred gathered to applaud, and wave to those on board.
"Well, I ask them what about the law of God? A leaflet handed out by a group of local churches said that the peace and tranquillity of the islands was enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
"We will not be tried at the end of the day, when all of us stand before the judgment seat of Christ, on the basis of EU law." It said: "By and large we like it like this.
"We are not oppressed by a quiet Sunday."
It wished tourists who came to Lewis by ferry a "happy and blessed trip to the islands".
Are you from the Isle of Lewis? What do you think about the ferry service on Sundays? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.Are you from the Isle of Lewis? What do you think about the ferry service on Sundays? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.
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