The government has asked CalMac to find a ferry for the route

The minister met representatives of the island's Storas Uibhist community company in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

He pledged to consider carefully any proposal for a direct link to the mainland that was affordable and had the support of the community.

The present ferry from South Uist sails on the longer route to Oban.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne was asked by the Scottish Government in December to look for a suitable vessel for a new route between Lochboisdale on South Uist and Mallaig on the Scottish mainland.

We will consider any options put forward for delivering a Mallaig to Lochboisdale service that are affordable Stewart Stevenson Transport Minister

The minister met representatives from Storas Uibhist, who took over the former South Uist Estate last year in Scotland's biggest-ever community buy-out, to discuss their plans for investing in the island - and particularly their call for a faster link to the mainland.

It is understood that proposals by CalMac on how the service could be provided were put forward and the minister suggested that the islanders join forces with CalMac and the islands council to come up with a definite proposal.

Mr Stevenson said he understood the strength of feeling amongst local communities.

He said the problems with cost were well documented - with �25m required for a new vessel and no suitable second hand boats available.

Boost tourism

But the minister said he was keen to give all the support he could and has pledged to look carefully at all the options that CalMac and local representatives can develop.

Mr Stevenson added: "We will consider any options put forward for delivering a Mallaig to Lochboisdale service that are affordable within existing budgets and have the support of the communities affected."

Islanders claim a faster ferry link to the mainland would boost tourism and fish farming.

The crossing to Mallaig would take three hours compared to a voyage almost double that on the present Lochboisdale to Oban trip.