Actor criticises ferry group

Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry company which links the mainland of Scotland with 22 islands off the west coast, has been accused of name-dropping in its brochure after it used a number of celebrity pictures and quotes promoting the attractions of its destinations.

Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry company which links the mainland of Scotland with 22 islands off the west coast, has been accused of name-dropping in its brochure after it used a number of celebrity pictures and quotes promoting the attractions of its destinations.

The operator - whose passengers have included celebrities such as Liv Tyler, Kate Moss, Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie and Coldplay's Chris Martin after they used a CalMac ferry to attend Stella McCartney's wedding last year on the island of Bute - has been criticised by the actor Richard Wilson for using his name without permission.

An article used in the latest edition of the company's magazine, Explore 2004, features a number of photographs of scenic attractions and accompanying quotes from well-known actors such as Bill Paterson and Wilson. They have complained that it may give the impression that they endorse the ferry company.

Wilson, probably best known for his television role as Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, objected to his name being used and is considering making a request for a donation to the Scottish Community Drama Association - of which he is honorary president - as a way of making amends.

The ferry company defended its position yesterday claiming the quotes, which were taken from a new book called A Sense of Belonging to Scotland: The Favourite Places of Scottish Personalities had been part of a promotional campaign by the Edinburgh-based publishers, Mercat Press.

The book, a compilation of photographs and personal contributions from 49 Scottish celebrities, took three years to put together and has been widely promoted by the publishers, including on the internet and in other magazines.