Scottish Political Leaders Address CalMac Ferry Disruptions During Holyrood Election Campaign

Scotland's political leaders addressed ongoing disruptions to CalMac ferry services during campaigning for the upcoming Holyrood election. CalMac operates the west coast ferry network, serving the Clyde coast and islands. The issues have affected travel and business operations in these areas.

First Minister John Swinney visited Stornoway and announced that a new Scottish National Party government would establish a £10 million resilience fund to support communities and businesses impacted by recent ferry disruptions. This announcement followed CalMac's admission that nearly a third of its fleet was not operating. Swinney traveled to Stornoway on the CalMac ferry MV Loch Seaforth.

Swinney stated that the disruptions resulted from a combination of scheduled maintenance, unplanned breakdowns, and other factors. He noted investments in new vessels, including the recent addition of the MV Isle of Islay and three more vessels scheduled for 2026. The resilience fund would provide assistance if the SNP wins the election in May.

leader Russell Findlay campaigned at ferry ports in Troon and Ardrossan.

He criticized the SNP's management of ferry procurement, stating that the party had spent around £500 million on two vessels that faced ongoing problems. Findlay described the situation as a result of SNP policies affecting island communities. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar promised to establish a single agency to manage the ferry system, incorporating input from islanders and financial support for affected businesses.

Labour reported more than 20,000 cancellations due to ferry and port issues since 2023. Sarwar highlighted the broader economic impact on Scotland beyond the islands. The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, called for recalling the Scottish Parliament to address the crisis.