By Professor John Robertson

The Herald is desperately try to make money off their ‘scoop’ on the Largs to Cumbrae ferry being 48 years old and ’23 years past its sell by date.’ Any idiot knows that sell by dates are not eat by dates. 48 years for a wee crossing ferry is not old.

The aging ferry myth – Ireland has twice the GDP growth but is still using 7 of CalMac’s 50 year-old ferries

Readers will know that the supposed failure of the SNP Government to invest in new ferries, despite the highest subsidies in the known world, is behind the supposed unreliability of the current stock, average age 22 and among the youngest fleets in the world.

Interestingly, and very nearby, Ireland. How is their economy doing? Could they afford newer ferries than Scotland?

IRELAND’S economy is on a “solid growth path” while Scotland’s potential is being “hampered” in the Union, according to a senior MP. Figures released on Monday show Ireland with 5.5% worth of GDP growth in 2023 and 5% in 2024, while the UK lags behind. In 2023 the UK is expected to see 2.1% growth, followed by 2.6% next year.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/23523518.scotland-hampered-westminster-irish-economy-soars/

From @Seumasabhein today:

7 former and pretty elderly CalMac ferries are still running in one of the most affluent countries in Europe, Ireland.

MV Eigg (1974) Clare Island Ferries MV Kilbrannan (1972) as above, renamed MV Clew Bay Queen

MVs Rhum, Canna, Coll & Morvern, (1974/1975) Arranmore Ferries

MVs Kyleakin & Kyle of Lochalsh (1970), Carrigloe crossing, County Cork.

Source:

You can find them all on wikipedia.