There was a man who built a boat to sail away, and it sank – JP Donleavy, The Ginger Man
by BILL HEANEY
CalMac’s annual repair and maintenance bill has more than trebled to £58 million, shocking new figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives can reveal.
Freedom of Information requests show spending increased at the SNP-run operator from £16.9 million in 2016-17 to £58.1 million in 2025-26.
The new figures come in the wake of the news that the handover of the Glen Rosa ferry, which is being built at SNP-controlled Ferguson Marine, has been delayed once again to allow for new propellers to be fitted.
The ferry operator spent more than £285 million on repairs and maintenance across the decade, with more than £100 million being spent on just five vessels.
Caledonian Isles accounted for the highest total, at £29.3 million, followed by Isle of Lewis at £19.3 million. The Hebrides, Clansman and Isle of Mull vessels each had costs exceeding £17 million.
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Tim Eagle says the soaring repair bill is a “damning indictment” of the SNP’s failure to deliver a reliable ferry service and one that is fit for the modern age.
He added that taxpayers shouldn’t be bearing the brunt of the SNP’s failures and it is time nationalist ministers finally take responsibility for their ongoing ferry fiasco.
“Successive SNP transport secretaries have failed to replace ageing and unfit-for-purpose vessels ahead of time, leaving island communities to face repeated disruptions and cancellations.
“The inaction to upgrade the network is also hitting hard-pressed taxpayers with an ever-growing bill to repair and maintain the vessels, with ordinary Scots footing a bill close to £300 million over the last decade.
“It is time nationalist ministers finally take responsibility for their ferry fiasco and for repeatedly leaving island communities without ferry services they can rely on.”
Ferry picture by Bill Heaney