SCOTLAND'S transport secretary has told MSPs that Arran and Cumbrae are "still open for business", despite major disruption to both islands' ferry services.
Fiona Hyslop said she understood the "frustration" of residents after both islands' main ferries were put out of action for months.
Ms Hyslop said she was a considering a request for extra funding to increase passenger capacity on MV Alfred, which is currently operating between Troon and Brodick.
But Conservative MSP Jamie Greene warned her that islanders were "staring down the barrel of a gun" as they faced a summer of ferry disruption.
And North Ayrshire SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asked how anyone could have confidence in CalMac's repair timetables as the ferry operator kept "shifting the goalposts".
The main Arran ferry, MV Caledonian Isles, was supposed to be out of action for repairs until March this year. The latest estimated return is now August.
Meanwhile Cumbrae's main ferry, MV Loch Shira, will be out of action until mid-June due to damage to her vehicle ramps.
At ministers' question time in the Scottish Parliament on April 25, Mr Greene asked the Scottish Government "how it will improve connectivity on the islands of Arran and Cumbrae ahead of the busy summer tourist season".
Ms Hyslop replied: "I understand that the news yesterday from CalMac, advising that the expected return date for MV Caledonian Isles is now August, will be frustrating for the community.
"I continue to urge CalMac to work closely with both communities to make better use of the available vessels and provide as much capacity as possible throughout this period of disruption.
Read more: Arran's main ferry won't return to service until late August, CalMac confirms
"I welcome and support the recent statement from Sheila Gilmour [of VisitArran] and from Angus Campbell of the Cumbrae Ferry Committee that both islands remain open for business.
"I also appreciate the patience of passengers as a consequences of this temporary vessel deployment to help support the islands."
Mr Greene responded: "It goes without saying that our islands are open for business but frustration is an underestimation of the strength of feeling on our islands.
"They are actually staring down the barrel of a gun, with a summer of more chaos on the ferry network.
"They have the MV Loch Shira out of action serving Cumbrae, and that's causing a lot of consternation on that island.
"The MV Caledonian Isles will not be around for Arran this summer, and the Glen Sannox is delayed as well. That simply leaves the MV Isle of Arran which is a 40-year-old vessel and prone to breakdown itself.
"Is it any wonder that our islanders are nervous about the forthcoming summer season?
"Can I give the Cabinet Secretary an opportunity to apologise in advance of the chaos that her Government are causing?"
Read more: Passenger vessel set to assist on Largs-Cumbrae route amid capacity concerns
Ms Hyslop replied: "If we listen to our islanders, they will say it is not necessarily taken as read that the message is our islands are open for business.
"I think it is incumbent on all parties to reiterate that our islands are open for business.
"This is a challenge and we undoubtedly know that. I think it is also important for us to identify there are six new vessels which will be delivered for 2026 that will support not just the islands you identified, but others also and that has an impact.
"I have been upfront in saying this will be a difficult time, but let's get behind our islanders and do that with a united voice."
In a supplementary question, Mr Gibson said: "We know that repairs to the Caledonian Isles are more extensive than previously anticipated. But how can anyone have confidence in CalMac's repair timescales, which have moved from March, to June and now August?
"How can island businesses plan ahead with these constantly moving goalposts?
"I am delighted that the transport secretary has told everyone that Arran is open for business, but what practical steps is the Government going to take to get that message over to the wider public, who only see bad news on the TV, hear it on the radio and see it in the newspapers?"
Ms Hyslop replied: "I am acutely aware of the impact that disruptions have for people and businessess. However there are vessels being deployed to support these vital areas.
"The complexity of the Caledonian Isles vessel's design means the repairs must be carried out in a co-ordinated, controlled manner, which is a highly complex repair effort.
"I have made it clear to CalMac that I think it would be helpful to them to be upfront and realistic about timescales because it does help confidence in terms of planning.
"Transport Scotland are urgently considering a request from the Arran Ferry Committee and CalMac to increase funding to enable full passenger capacity on the MV Alfred for the period MV Caledonian Isles will be out of service."
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