Ferry campaigners seek EU support

It is hoped the MV Claymore will be back in service

A Scottish community is trying to persuade the European Commission to help them restore a vital ferry route between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The service, linking Ballycastle in County Antrim and the Scottish port of Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre, was withdrawn in February because the operators claimed it was not economically viable.

A consortium of local businesses and tourism organisations in Kintyre is now bidding to re-establish the route.

The campaigners are hoping to persuade the European Commission to give the route "lifeline" status meaning it would qualify for government subsidy.

Tourism in Scotland has suffered since the connection was cut and the Kintyre community is seeking to persuade European commissioners that the area's economy depends on the link.

Public funds

The route between Campbeltown and Ballycastle, agreed under the previous Conservative government, was launched in June 1997 with Sea Containers setting up the Argyll & Antrim Steam Packet company, known as the AA Line, to run it.

The service received £8m from public agencies and the MV Claymore was refitted for the service.

It was hoped the twice-daily sailings would create more than 200 jobs and raise £7m for tourism across Scotland as well as giving a boost to the Kintyre economy.

In February, the AA Line, reported to be losing £500,000 a year on the route, confirmed it was unable to continue the service.

A group of Kintyre business people, trading under the name of Kintyre Ferries, is leading the campaign to have the ferry route re-established.

The group has been negotiating to buy the MV Claymore and it is hoped that the twice-daily sailings could re-commence next year.