The Caledonian Mercury has invited some of those in the election firing-line to send regular bulletins about the personal side of campaigning. Alison Hay is the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Argyll and Bute.The week saw me travel to some of the remoter parts of the constituency and at times it seemed as if I were on holiday. (Only joking.) Tuesday 12 April Down to Dunoon for a meeting arranged by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union on the possible ramifications for Caledonian MacBrayne following the Scottish Ferries Review. This meeting was a little disorganised. Frankly, if these are the people representing hard-working union members then I would want my registration fee back. A grand total of 19 people attended, most were political candidates and agents or union reps. The evening achieved nothing. Wednesday 13 April This is the start of my island-hopping. Up at 5:30am to be at the ferry terminal for 7am, leaving at 7:45am for the island of Colonsay. The good thing, among many others, about CalMac is the wonderful breakfasts they do – maybe not very healthy, but if you have a hard day ahead then just the job. Today is a long trip of about three-and-a-half hours. I could have flown, but firstly I don’t like flying and secondly the time on the island is not long enough. My visit consisted of my husband (recently retired) driving round the island with me running up and down the long accesses into the houses. By the time the evening and the boat arrived to take us home I was exhausted. The issues on Colonsay were a mixture of the coalition, fairer ferry fares and fuel costs. On the island, the price of a litre of petrol is £1.63, which is 22p more per litre than I have to pay in Lochgilphead. This reflects on the cost of everything that comes on to and goes off Colonsay. Home at 11:45pm. Thursday 14 April Up at 5:30am and drove to Oban to catch the 8:15 ferry to the island of Coll this time. Another good breakfast and arrived in Coll about 11am. Same procedure as yesterday, with my husband driving and telling me not to spend so much time talking to people if we want to get round the island today! I ignore him, like all good wives. The island is a series of three dead-end roads with wonderful views at the end of each. Again, the issues on the island are fuel costs, the coalition and the fact that hauliers to the island are not passing on the fare reductions to their customers they are getting under Road Equivalent Tariff. Home by midnight. Friday 15 April Today sees me on Bute, but first I have to go to Wemyss Bay to meet George Lyon MEP, complete with a press entourage. We go to see the local newspaper, The Buteman, for an interview and then go around the local shops. George disappears back to Wemyss Bay and I visit local post offices on the island. Saturday 16 April I’m in Dunoon for a march in aid of the hospice, which is closed and the people of the town want it back. I keep fairly hidden as this is not a political march and that is appreciated. In the afternoon I talk on Dunoon FM alongside the organiser of the march. Quite a successful day. Head to Oban in the evening for a cheese-and-wine fundraiser
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