Corran Ferry campaigners to seek legal counsel

The ferry allows access to and from the communities of Ardgour, Morvern and Ardnamurchan

Campaigners are planning to take legal action in a bid to dismiss Highland Council's argument that its funding of the Corran Ferry breaches European rules.

The local authority covers the cost of the service in Lochaber.

But last month it said the arrangement breached European state aid and competition rules and put potential private operators at a disadvantage.

The Free Crossing for Corran campaign has said it was seeking legal counsel.

Highland Council sought advice from the Scottish government's state aid unit on whether its running and funding of the ferry service complied with EC regulations.

The local authority said the advice warned that there were "inherent risks attached" to the current arrangement.

The local authority hopes Transport Scotland will take over responsibility for the Corran Ferry.

MSP John Finnie and former Highland Council leader Dr Michael Foxley have criticised the local authority's position on the service.

The Corran Ferry allows access to and from the communities of Ardgour, Morvern and Ardnamurchan via a narrow stretch of Loch Linnhe.

It is also used by people and businesses on Mull, who first travel to the mainland on the Fishnish-Lochaline ferry.

The Corran Ferry and Fishnish-Lochaline services also offer tourists an alternative to the Oban to Mull ferry.