A connecting bus service will be available for ferry passengers arriving in Mallaig from Lochboisdale, it has been confirmed.

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus B MacNeil had been contacted by several constituents regarding the lack of scheduled connections from Mallaig to Fort William and beyond with the start of the summer ferry timetable.

From this week the ferry arrives in Mallaig less than half an hour after the train for Fort William has departed with the next scheduled service not running until late afternoon.

Mr MacNeil raised the issue with CalMac several weeks ago and has been kept informed of ongoing negotiations and is very pleased that a bus service will now be provided.

He said: “I am very pleased that CalMac have worked with Highland Council and Shiel Buses to provide an onward travel option for foot passengers on the Lochboisdale-Mallaig ferry service.

“The morning bus from Mallaig to Fort William has been altered to meet the ferry and an afternoon service will run to and from Fort William which meets the afternoon Mallaig-Lochboisdale service.

“This is a common sense solution to a situation which could have meant less passengers using the service due to the logistics of onward travel being very difficult. I am pleased that CalMac have listened to representations from Hitrans and others on this matter and come up with a positive solution.

“I was involved in initial negotiations with Shiel Buses in 2013 to ensure a connecting service was available when the Lochboisdale-Mallaig service was introduced. I am very glad to see CalMac continuing this joint working with Shiel Buses who have been supportive of the ferry route from the outset.”