It's typical of this community that, when Cal Mac's Loch Linnhe broke down at Kilchoan Pier yesterday, the attitude wasn't one of 'let's sit back and see what they can do about this one!' Instead, Bert Cameron, Titch MacLachlan and Dave Curtis responded to Captain James' request for assistance and set about fixing the problem with the help of a tractor.
The hydraulic system for raising the ramp had been damaged as the vessel berthed, on one side much more severely than the other, to such an extent that the ramp couldn't be raised so the ship - on a very busy day - couldn't sail. The lads' solution was to remove both rams, a difficult and time-consuming job.
But, as a result of their efforts, and the sweat of the seven men it took to haul the ramp up by hand, three hours later the Loch Linnhe was back on her run, although cars had to be backed on down the other ramp.The Diary has commented before on the sort of communal pulling together that is such a characteristic of this village. For those of us who are refugees from the modern world, it's humbling.
Many thanks to Gael Cameron for pictures and story.
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