This Sunday, the ferry will run to the island of Lewis, the last of Scotland's Outer Hebrides to cave to demands for service on the traditional day of rest. The expanded ferry service is sparking at least one legal challenge. Caledonian MacBrayne, the government-owned company that provides ferry service in the region, said it decided to begin Sunday sailings after being advised it might be violating the Equality Act, The Scotsman reported.

By ALAN MacDERMID ISLANDERS on Bute are facing the loss of their main ferry link to the mainland until Friday because of industrial action by pier hands.

DAVID Leask's article in Wednesday's Herald highlights what we have all known for years: the ineptitude surrounding the new ferry ports on Islay and Bute, and Oban airport, which are running millions of pounds over budget and months overdue.

By JOHN ROSS A NEW GBP 24.5 million vehicle ferry to run between Islay and the mainland is to be built in Poland. The deal with the Remontowa yard in Gdansk was announced yesterday, but the vessel will not be ready until 2011 because of international demand for new ships.

By DAVID ROSS THE Scottish Government is unlawfully using taxpayers money to keep fares down on Caledonian MacBrayne's Gourock-to-Dunoon car ferry service, according to its private-sector rival Western Ferries.