Weather blamed for Uist filling stations running out of petrol

Filling stations in Uist in the Western Isles ran out of petrol over the weekend with the supplier blaming bad weather for hampering deliveries. Certas Energy said its ship was unable to berth in Loch Carnan in South Uist to replenish stocks last week. Uisdean Robertson, transportation and infrastructure chairman with islands authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said fuel could have been taken by road tanker from Lewis. He said district nurses and home carers had raised concerns with the comhairle about having enough fuel to make their rounds. A petrol tanker has now arrived in Uist. Robertson said two filling stations in North Uist ran out of petrol on Saturday and a larger station in Benbecula on Sunday. Diesel supplies were not thought to have been so badly affected. He added: "There has been a lot of concern expressed mainly by district nurses and home carers. "They do a significant amount of mileage between Eriskay and Berneray." The comhairle held an emergency meeting on the situation on Monday night. Robertson said fuel could have been taken south by road from Stornoway in Lewis and then across the Sound of Harris by ferry, or by boat from Skye. He said ferry operator CalMac