Scotland’s First Minister has announced, this afternoon (24th June), that self-catering accommodation that is completely self-contained (and that certainly includes Carrick Eriskay!) can re-open 3rd July – 12 days sooner than had been expected.

At the same time, the 5-mile limit on non-essential travel will be lifted, as will the ban on staying away from home.

Calmac’s emergency essential-only service will end on 30 June,  the new timetable to be published on their website 26th June, with bookings taken from 30th June.

Ferry services are to be increased, step-wise, until they’re more-or-less back to ‘normal’ in terms of routes and frequency. However, capacity will be limited by social distancing rules : for now that will still mean 2m, but we expect that to be reduced to 1m on or around 15th July.

We therefore urge all our Carrick guests who have booked with us for this summer – or are intending to do so, to keep a close watch on Calmac’s website, and be ready to snap up a place on the ferry as soon as possible ; and those who still have a booking made before lock-down should get their booking confirmed by email.

So, once you’re ready, and if everything’s steady, there’s just a short wait for the GO!