Professor John Robertson OBA
The National’s piece, above, on the latest problems for the MV Caledonian Isles has no historical perspective on this long-troubled vessel, leaving some to think it’s another ‘SNP ferry fiasco‘.
Here it is:
Readers will already know that the MV Caledonian Isles had been in dock for repairs following botched work by Cammell Laird in Liverpool.
Readers will also be aware of the regular and longstanding Scottish media reports describing the vessel as ‘troubled’ and ‘fault prone.’
While such accounts have been often exaggerated and ill-informed, it may be that the vessel has been, since its launch, marked by the consequences of political errors and shoddy work by its builders.
Launched on 25 May 1993 at Richards Shipbuilders of Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, shut down only months later in 1994, the yard had no experience of building ferries for the stormy seas of Western Scotland and, notably, the Herald in December 1993, was already reporting problems with winter crossings to Ardrossan, often diverted to Gourock and local businesses complaining about that.
When the contract was given to the Suffolk shipbuilder, the Conservative Party Secretary of State for Scotland was Malcom Rifkind and the Minister for Industry was Ian Lang. You have to wonder why, given the yard’s lack of previous experience and imminent demise, if the Scottish Conservatives were doing a wee favour to the local MP or UK Government?
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Excellent!
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WHO WAS THE MP IN THE COUNCIL AREA
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Porter_(British_politician)
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WHY ARE ENGLISH YARDS STILL GETTING SHIP REPAIR WORKS
WHEN THEY HAVE RUINED SEVERAL ROYAL NAVY CONTRACTS
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UTTER SHAMBLES
AND THE ENGLISH PRESS HAVE THE BLOODY CHEEK NO SLAG OFF SCOTTISH
SHIP BUILDERS
ENGLISH YARDS CANNOT GET STEERING OR PROPULSION SORTED
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I’m an Arran resident so I’m very familiar with all this. Why indeed do the contracts for the repairs and maintenance keep going to Cammel Laird? Their history is appalling. Most recently, they had the vessel from January 2024 to September 2025 and yet still it keeps breaking down. I know the boat is 32 years old, but others in the fleet are also pretty old, yet none seems to break down at the rate of the Caley Isles. Transport Scotland/CMal should be demanding their money back and cease all future dealings with Cammel Laird.
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I doubt who built the hull has much bearing on a bow thruster problem 30 odd years later, but it’s better sorted out before severe weather descends, particularly given Ardrossan harbour’s demands….
Amusing to reflect on the ‘owner’ of the Cally Isles having been the SoSS, then the Scottish devolved parliament, only when the SNP gained power was ‘nationalisation’ mentioned ad nauseum…
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