EAT, DRINK & BE FERRIED; Passengers party as controversial first Sunday crossing leaves Lewis.

Byline: Charlie Gall

PASSENGERS on the first ever Sunday ferry from Stornoway partied their way through the crossing to Ullapool yesterday.

About a dozen God-fearing islanders protested on the quayside as the Isle of Lewis prepared to sail, and prayed for the nation to "turn back from its sin and wickedness".

But several hundred people applauded loudly as the Caledonian MacBrayne ship left.

And by the time the ferry had cleared the harbour, its bar was full of drinkers celebrating the historic journey.

Musicians heading home from the Hebridean Celtic Festival staged a jam session, and golf fans followed the action in the Open on the bar's TV.

The bar did a roaring trade, and many passengers tucked into fish and chips or curry from the restaurant.

Popular Uisdean (Hugh) Macleod, of the Campaign for Seven Day Sailings, said: "I never thought I'd see this day.

"It's long overdue. It's going to take a wee while to sink in.

"I think this will prove to be one of the most popular sailings of the week and it's been noticeable how few ministers have spoken out against it."

Inverness dad Alan Kellock, who was making the crossing with his family, added: "It's a good thing for the island and particularly its sports teams. It will help them and mainland sides play each other."

But not everyone was happy to see the end of the tradition of ferry-free Sundays. At the harbour before the ship sailed, protester Mark Macdonald held up a placard that said: "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy."

In keeping with his beliefs, Mark refused to speak on a Sunday.

But he handed leaflets to passengers boarding the ship, which said: "Most locals take the first day of the week as a rest day.

"Families spend more time together and practical housework is left till Monday. Even washing lines usually get a day off."

But Mark and his fellow demonstrators seemed to be in the minority.

Retired brewer Iain Turnbull turned up for his ferry journey in a t-shirt with the slogan:"Let's Drink on Sundays in Ullapool - now that we can, three cheers to CalMac".

Iain, 61, who moved to Stornoway from his native Norfolk, said: "We have electricity, police and hospitals running on Sundays, what's wrong with having a ferry? "Do we really want to go back 200 years? This island is dying on its feet and it needs the tourists the Sunday ferry will cater for."

But critics of the Sunday sailings continued to insist that many islanders were furious at the change.

And they made the point that many religious believers would not have considered protesting yesterday - because the Bible says the Sabbath is a day of rest.

Calum Maclean, of the Lewis branch of the Lord's Day Observance Society, said on Saturday: "I'm not going to the quayside with banners.

"I will be visiting an old folks' home and a home for those with disablities and taking a service of worship. Then I will be making a hospital visit.

"I am very disappointed in CalMac. My advice to them is to get a better boat and give us six days of dependable sailings.

"This scheduled Sunday service is contrary to the feelings of the people and our elected representatives."

But CalMac managing director Phil Preston said the Sunday service was "here for keeps".

He said: "It's just normal business for us. I just want the sailing to pass off smoothly."

CalMac announced the new service last week amid concerns that banning sailings on Sunday was a breach of EU rules.

And Preston insisted: "We are just reacting to demand and the requirements of the law."'What's wrong with a ferry? Do we really want to go back 200 years?'

CAPTION(S):

TWO SIDES: Some locals protested as the ferry left while others applauded the Sunday sailing