From: Ailsa Brodie (Operations Manager)
To: Skerrow Ferry Co-op management team
Date: Mon 2 Nov 2026, 08:42
Subject: Winter timetable - need a decision for the board

All,

The board meets on 19 Nov and wants a recommendation on the winter timetable. Three options on the table:

  A. Keep all 5 daily return crossings (06:10, 07:30, 12:00, 17:15, 21:40).
  B. Cut to 3 return crossings Mon-Fri (07:30, 12:00, 17:15), 5 at weekends.
  C. Drop the 06:10 and the 21:40 every day, keeping 07:30, 12:00 and 17:15, and move the 21:40 to 19:30 so we still run 4.

Since September the 06:10 has averaged 38 passengers. Option C savings as I have them: fuel £84k, crew overtime £51k, maintenance £20k - about £165k a year.

Ailsa

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From: Callum Reid (Finance)
Date: Tue 3 Nov 2026, 10:05

Worth adding that the council have approved cutting our subsidy by £120k from April, so we have to find that money from somewhere. Option C more or less covers it.

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From: Morven Tait (Council liaison)
Date: Tue 3 Nov 2026, 13:20

Small correction to Callum - the £120k subsidy reduction is a proposal in the council's draft budget. Members vote on it on 26 Nov. Nothing is approved yet.

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From: Ailsa Brodie
Date: Tue 3 Nov 2026, 16:48

Thanks Morven. The board will also want to know the impact on tourism - can someone pull that together?

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From: Ewan Mackay (Senior Skipper)
Date: Wed 4 Nov 2026, 07:15

Reminder that our operating licence from the Harbour Authority requires a minimum of four return crossings every day, all year. Option B wouldn't meet that on weekdays.