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Revamped pier reopens after almost year-long delay

CMAL Illustration of new Little MinchCMAL
The extended Lochmaddy Pier will be used by new CalMac ferries

A ferry pier in the Western Isles has been been reopened almost a year later than expected following a £15m upgrade.

The work at Lochmaddy in North Uist is part of a wider programme of ferry infrastructure improvements around an area of sea called the Little Minch.

Enhancements have also been made to terminals at Tarbert in Harris and Uig in Skye.

Two new ferries are being built in Turkey to serve on CalMac's Little Minch routes.

Watch: BBC Naidheachdan's report on the pier opening

The new ferries were named MV Claymore and MV Lochmor following a public vote held at the end of last year.

The upgrade at Lochmaddy included extending the pier using a 3,200-tonne concrete structure that towed 235 miles (378km) by sea from Belfast.

The 33m (108ft) caisson was named Block Maddy - Bloca Loch nam Madadh in Gaelic - following a competition for local school children.

The revamped pier was formally opened by Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop during a ceremony this week.