Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil has today written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for clarification on travel rules over the festive period.

Families are permitted to create a family bubble for the Christmas holiday period for five days from 23rd to 27th December. This does not, however, permit travel days on the 22nd or 28th. This is in contrast to Northern Ireland where travel to and from the bubble is permitted on those dates.

That means that families in or from the islands would lose two days for travel. Mr MacNeil is asking the First Minister to look at this matter again.

Mr MacNeil said: “I have written to Nicola Sturgeon to clarify this. The Scottish islands are further away from the Scottish mainland than Northern Ireland is for instance and it would seem anomalous that a day’s travel would be given to Northern Ireland and not be given to the Scottish islands.

“I imagine this is something that has been overlooked but it is causing some anxiety for people and clarity is urgently required on this by the First Minister.

“I would expect alterations to be forthcoming and it would be brought in line with the Northern Irish situation.

“Some people face long ferry journeys from the Scottish islands to and from the mainland and often it is weather dependent as well.

“I look forward to this being clarified very soon.”