Three In LINE FOR TENDER
Streakers OFFERED TO RUN SERVICE
Transport Minister Tavish Scott announced on Monday the criteria for the Dunoon-Gourock ferry link.
There were no surprises when he named the operators who had been invited to tender - CalMac, V Ships and Western Ferries - since all have been in the frame for some time.
The Gourock-Dunoon ferry service is being offered as a commercial service with no subsidy and the removal of the current operating and timetable restrictions.
The minister said: “I am pleased that we are now able to move to the next stage of the tendering exercise.
“The Gourock-Dunoon ferry service is a vital lifeline for both local people and visitors to the area.”
He added: “The Executive has worked hard to ensure the bidders have as much commercial freedom as possible, and that is why the service specification has been designed to maximise this flexibility.”
The main elements of the specifications are that:
The service must be a combined passenger and vehicle service, with a minimum of one return sailing per hour, and the daily start and end times of the service should match the current CalMac timetable.
The service must operate between Gourock Pier and Dunoon Pier in Dunoon town centre.
In addition the new service offers ‘the possibility’ of the new operator making use of the new linkspan at Dunoon.
The new operator could use its own vessel or charter two of the streakers for the route.
There would be integrated ticketing arrangements with other ferry operators and transport providers.
If a suitable operator is identified, the current service, provided under subsidy arrangements through CalMac, would be replaced. However Ministers have made it clear that if no suitable operator is found then they will bring forward proposals to tender for a subsidised service.
The closing date for submissions is October 30, followed by the announcement of the preferred bidder January 2007, and the new operator will be announced in February.
The Executive would like to see existing concessionary fares arrangements continue.
The three contenders for the route were - predictably - making the most of the minister’s announcement.
CalMac Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: “The company is pleased to have been invited to tender for the service and will now take time to deliberate on what is an extremely complex document and a complicated set of circumstances. We will want to evaluate the detail thoroughly, and it is our intention to complete our evaluation in a positive way. We will confirm what CalMac’s response to the Invitation will be as soon as practicable.”
Mr Sinclair also confirmed that mechanisms are being put in place to inform and consult with staff as the evaluation takes place and information briefing meetings will be organized in due course.
Western Ferries is regarded by many as the hot favourites to take the route, the company’s Managing Director, Gordon Ross, said: “We are very pleased that, at long last, the tender process has been announced.
“The company has been pushing for this process to be moved forward for a considerable period of time. The current situation is unfair and does not benefit the local community. Anything that moves us closer to a level playing field will always be welcome.
“Once we have had the opportunity to consider the tender specifications in detail we shall respond accordingly.”
The dark horse in the tendering process has always been V Ships.
Some pundits believe that V Ships’ interest lies in bigger fish; it competed with Calmac for the Northlink tender, and although little-known on the Clyde, is actually a major international operator which lays claim to being the largest ship management company in the world.
Speaking from the company’s Glasgow office, project manager Alan Thomson said that the company would be taking stock of the specification and making a decision based on it. He did not agree with the notion that they had little interest in Dunoon-Gourock, saying that once they had made their assessment, they would explore all the options available.
Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor said: “I welcome the news that there are a number of firms tendering to run the vital Gourock and Dunoon ferry service.
“However, the Scottish Executive has an appalling record on tendering processes. The fiasco of the Northern Isles routes retendering, as well as the ongoing failure to find an operator for the Campbeltown to Ballycastle route, hardly engenders confidence in the Executive’s abilities in this area.”
Argyll and Bute Council gave a guarded welcome to the news; Councillor Brian Chennell, leader of Bute and Cowal Area Committee said that it was ‘good news providing that it leads to an improved vehicle and passenger service between the town centres of Dunoon and Gourock.”
This, he said, would tie in with waterfront initiatives in both communities acting as focal points for regeneration projects.


BLAIRMORE on COURSE FOR FERRY
Supporters of Blairmore Pier were over the moon when it emerged that the long-awaited ferry service to the refurbished Loch Long pier will start next week.
The Friends of Blairmore Pier Trust have announced that the trial service will run from August 9 until September 1. It will provide a link for Blairmore with Greenock and Helensburgh, bringing visitors into the National Park and providing ‘shopping trips’ for local people wanting to visit Greenock.
The week-day ferry will be operated by Clyde Marine Cruises, and the Second Snark, built by Denny’s of Dumbarton in 1938 and listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels of the United Kingdom, will provide the ideal cruising facility for up to 80 passengers.
The timetable is scheduled so that some arrivals and departures at Blairmore, will connect with the local bus service to and from Benmore Gardens.
Extra trips are being offered on Wednesdays and Fridays to provide for shopping or recreational visits direct to Greenock.
The operator, Hamish Munro of Clyde Marine, and the Friends of Blairmore Pier Trust, hope that the service will be well-supported and meet the changing needs of local residents and visitors to Cowal.
Councillor Bruce Marshall, who has been a staunch supporter of the ferry, said “I am absolutely delighted to see the first regular sailings to Blairmore Pier and Loch Goil by Clyde Marine. I hope this is the beginning of a sustained service in years to come which will allow people from the mainland to access the National Park directly via Blairmore. The timings will allow day trippers to make bus connections to Benmore Gardens or Dunoon and back in time for the afternoon return trip. Well done Agnes and the Pier Trust.“
It is hoped that this trial service will help to create the demand and momentum needed to provide a fuller service next year. Numerous individuals have canvassed support over a number of years for such a service to be established, and work on this is continuing. It is understood that Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to hold-over until next year the grant funding earmarked to support ferry links with Carrick and other parts of Cowal.
Leaflets detailing the Summer 2006 sailing schedule should be available from next week at the Tourist Information Centre and from other outlets in Dunoon and Blairmore.


ALL ABOARD AT GRAHAM’S POINT!
FOR those of you who don’t know where Graham’s Point is, it is on the shore in Kilmun, next to Paradise Bay. Those who do know should count themselves lucky.
In 2005 the Benmore and Kilmun Community Development Trust started knocking on hypothetical doors trying to raise funds to give the area a much needed play area. This summer all their hard work, sweat and tears became worthwhile. Last year the area was unkempt. The grass was messy. The goal-posts were rusty. It was generally a bit of an eyesore. Sometimes it was even a tip for those too lazy to go to the dump. Some people couldn’t see past all the debris - fortunately for those who live in the area, others could see potential. Huge potential.
If you walk round Graham’s Point now you will see a fantastic play-boat, built to resemble a Napier steamship. It has tunnels, a chute, climbing frames, a pole to slide down and lots of wee hide-aways (great for hide and seek apparently). You will see a football pitch. What you won’t know is that underneath the pitch are six inches of soil and rubber crumb which will support the roots and help with drainage. You will see numerous, hand crafted, benches, seats and canoes. You also can’t help but admire the many plants, flowers, bushes, standing stones and herbs that are scattered around. Many of these herbs are the same as the ones that the monks who settled here would have eaten in days of yore.
Janette Valentine, who chairs the Trust said “Local people treat the place with great respect, because they own it. The area badly needed somewhere the children could come and play. Here, they not only play, but use their imagination.”
This sentiment is reinforced by the fact that so many people have been involved in the transformation. Local crafts people including Robert Young, Andy McLintock, Guy Elder and Andy McLachlan have all had input. The children who live nearby and the pupils of Strone School have all taken a huge interest. Even the residents who have gone down for a game of football have been known to help out by lifting, carrying, digging, painting, raking and planting.
Janette continued “There is still plenty of things to be added. There are goal-posts being made by a local blacksmith. The final bit of funding for a Monk’s Round House to be built has just been put in place and there are other plans for a willow tunnel, coracles and a football practice board. Hopefully the car park should be finished soon as well. We are also looking into how to get the speed limit on the adjacent road reduced.”
The relevance to the monks may not be widely known. It was here, back in 600 ad, that St. Mun and his fellow monks landed, and originally settled, having travelled from Ireland. Janette went on to say that when researching this they worked closely with the National Heritage to ensure that the area was relevant to the history and heritage of Kilmun.
Janette commented that: “Although it had been very hard work, it has all been worthwhile. It has been, and still is, very exciting. Even the planning was exciting.” She added that: “It couldn’t have been done without the help and support of so many people. The Council and National Park have co-operated greatly and were always on hand for advice. The many different funders, the people involved in the committe and last, but certainly not least, the local people who have done so much in their own time.”
The overall cost for the project has topped £135,000 but when you see the faces of the kids playing on the boat, or the excitement generated by the pretend canoe races, every penny has been a penny well spent.


Cowal Games 2006 - record crowd expected
Record numbers are expected at this year’s Cowal Highland Gathering with competitors and spectators coming from all over the world to witness the world’s largest and most spectacular Highland Games at Dunoon Stadium. The Gathering will take place from Thursday 24th until Saturday 26th August from 9am until 6pm each day.
The Gathering hosts two of the most prestigious Highland competitions in the world and on Saturday 26th the cream of Highland Dancing and Piping talent will arrive at Dunoon Stadium for the World Highland Dancing and Cowal Pipe Band Championships. For fans of Highland Dancing, The Cowal Gathering is the highlight of the Highland Dancing Calendar with over 500 of the world’s most talented dancers taking to the stage.
As well as the Highland Dancing Championships, over 150 Pipe Bands will compete against each other in the Cowal Pipe Band Championships which is one of five major piping titles awarded throughout the year. The bands will then take part in the legendary March Past and Salute to the Chieftain allowing spectators to hear over 3000 pipers playing in unison. The day will be rounded off with a parade from the stadium to Dunoon Town Centre to celebrate the end of the event.
Events on Thursday 24th will include the UKA Highland Dancing Scottish National Championships, The Cowal 5K Run, A Classic Car Show and Owl Display promising fun for the whole family.
Entertainment on Friday 25th will see the Highland Dancing Scottish Championships, The Solo Piping Competition as well as the Heavy Athletics. With categories including the spectacular Caber Toss, Putting the Weight and the traditional Scottish Hammer Throw, the Heavy Athletics has fast become one of the most popular events of the weekend.
As well as the Pipe Band and Highland Dancing Championships, spectators on Saturday 26th will also be able to take in the Cowal Athletics, Shinty and the second day of the Heavy Athletics.
Says Malcolm Barclay, Gathering Manager “Once again this year’s Cowal Highland Gathering is set to be a truly international affair with competitors coming from countries as far flung as Australia, USA, South Africa and Canada. Highlights of the event will include The World Highland Dancing Championships and the spectacular March Past and Western Ferries firework display on Saturday evening. With over 20,000 spectators attending the event over the three days, the atmosphere promises to be electric”.
Since the very first Cowal Highland Gathering 112 years ago, the event has become a firm favourite on Scotland’s calendar of events with the number of visitors increasing by one thousand percent from 2,000 in 1894 to 20,000 in 2005. The event takes in six different competitions, all with a distinctly Scottish flavour, over three days and is the world’s largest Highland Gathering.