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Tiree festival-goers spend night in ferry terminal

Islanders rallied to accommodate those stranded, after strong winds and rain.

More than 100 ferry passengers have spent the night in Oban terminal after the Tiree Music Festival was cancelled due to extreme weather.

The CalMac MV Clansman ferry carrying festival-goers to the Hebridean island was unable to berth.

Many were without accommodation options when the vessel arrived back in Oban at 22:30 on Thursday.

Organisers cancelled the event, due to run from Friday to Sunday, after rain and gale force winds were forcecast.

Wet Wet Wet, Tide Lines and Skerryvore and other acts were scheduled to play the small scale festival - attended by around 2000 people.

The cancellation on Thursday evening left campers stranded on the island, but locals rallied to accommodate them.

Ferry operator CalMac opened its Oban terminal building to shelter passengers unable to disembark.

The company supplied passengers with tea, coffee, water and snacks while a local hotel provided duvets and pillows.

Police were also on hand to provide support.

Robert Morrison, Calmac's operations director, said: "The Tiree Music Festival was cancelled yesterday with MV Clansman half an hour out from the island with 455 passengers onboard.

"Due to the severe weather conditions the vessel was unable to berth in Tiree

"The CalMac port team in Oban opened up the terminal building and staffed it throughout the night to ensure all those who were in need of shelter were provided with a safe, warm and dry place to spend the night, as no public transport options were available."

Festival organisers said all foot passengers who wanted to leave Tiree on Friday had safely boarded the 10:35 ferry.

Saturday ferries are scheduled to depart Tiree at 10:50 and 19:00 and all tickets for sailings across the weekend will be valid.

Passengers are advised ferries will be boarded on a first come first served basis and transport will be provided for those who don't have any.

Festival organisers said: "With the weather due to worsen again over the next 24 hours and the potential of more high winds, we are continuing to work round the clock to secure the site.

"We have begun the process of claiming event cancellation insurance and we are grateful for everyone's patience while we work through this.

"It is difficult to express how disappointed we are about the cancellation of this year's event.

"Over the last 24 hours we have not taken any decision lightly but everyone's safety continues to be our absolute priority."

The Scottish folk music festival was scheduled to feature 26 acts as well as beach yoga, Gaelic song workshops, walking tours and magic shows.