Highlands and Islands MSP and Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston has commented on the SNP’s failure to deliver a reliable ferries network, saying:
“The SNP has been responsible for 18 years of staggering mismanagement of Scotland’s vital ferry network, leaving island communities stranded and businesses suffering as a result.
“Even Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop seems to have had enough and made the decision to “jump ship” ahead of 2026, although too many previous ministers have been allowed to slope off before the true impact of their failures have hit.
“The SNP’s approach to Scotland’s ferry network has been nothing short of disastrous. Timetables are frequently cancelled, much-needed vessels are delayed year after year, and budgets are repeatedly blown. Islanders and businesses alike are paying the price for this failure to deliver lifeline ferries.
“All Scotland’s island communities want is a reliable and modern ferry network that is fit for purpose. As the ferries crisis only worsens, it is clear that SNP ministers in Edinburgh simply can’t be trusted to deliver that”.
