Corran ferry price changes considered

Corran Ferry operates between Nether Lochaber and Ardgour on Loch Linnhe

Proposed changes to ticket prices on the Corran ferry in west Lochaber are being considered by Highland Council.

The council said it had received more than 80 submissions to its consultation, which ended last month.

The Highland Council-owned Corran Ferry operates between Nether Lochaber and Ardgour on Loch Linnhe.

The council wants to introduce a new fare structure which would be cheaper for regular users but some fear it could punish other groups.

Under the local authority's plans a smart card could be introduced to ease the payment of fares on the busy ferry route, about nine miles south of Fort William.

The council also wants to increase the cost of some fares and it is offering regular car commuters unlimited travel for £40 a month - provided they pay for that card by direct debit.

Tourism threat

But the local councillor has warned that while daily commuters would benefit from the proposed new system, less frequent low-income users, such as pensioners would be left paying a lot more.

A number of submissions to the council said those on low incomes would be subsidising those in full employment.

There are also fears that tourists could be put off by any increase and that delivery costs and prices in the shops could go up as a result.

Highland Council said it was looking through each submission and hoped to give its view on a preferred structure next month.

The ferry allows access to and from the communities of Ardgour, Morvern and Ardnamurchan via a narrow stretch of the loch.

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.