MSP Katy Clark has blasted the Scottish Government for failing islanders, after it was revealed that CalMac ferry sailings only ran fully to schedule on seven days over 15 months.

A Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Lib Dems showed that between January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 there were just seven days when all timetabled CalMac sailings were on schedule.

Ferries were cancelled on 285 days out of 456. This was a 24 per cent rise on the period from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

Technical reasons caused the cancellation of 5,251 sailings across the 15-month period. This was up 57 per cent compared to last year.

West of Scotland Labour MSP Ms Clark said: "These figures are deeply concerning and highlight the chronic mismanagement of Scotland’s ferry services under the SNP government.

"For communities like those on Arran, which rely on the Ardrossan ferry for vital connections, the constant cancellations and delays are unacceptable.

"Islanders are being left isolated, with businesses suffering and residents missing important appointments and opportunities.

"The Ardrossan to Arran route is a lifeline for the people of Arran, and it’s clear that the SNP’s poor decision making has let down all who rely on the ferry service.

"Labour has long called for an overhaul of Scotland’s ferry network, with a focus on reliability and proper investment in infrastructure. It’s time for real action to ensure that islanders are not treated as an afterthought."

CalMac's interim CEO Duncan Mackison said: “Between January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, our reliability rate was 92.6 per cent, meaning more than nine in every 10 sailings operated as planned.

"In that timeframe, we successfully ran 198,952 sailings out of 207,495 scheduled, with 7,319 of these cancelled due to weather and tidal conditions which are out with our control.

"On 174 days of the days in question we operated additional sailings, underlining our commitment to try and maintain and deliver a service in the face of disruption.

"This can mean sailings operate earlier or later than timetabled to ensure people and lifeline supplies can still travel. This is common on routes where, due to distance, there is only one return sailing per day.

“The arrival of six major new vessels by 2026, the first of which is due to be handed over imminently, will improve reliability and resilience in services across the west coast."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “As the information provided by CalMac made clear, between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2024, 198,952 sailings operated successfully out of 207,495 scheduled. 7319 of these sailings were cancelled due to weather and tidal conditions which are outwith the control of the operator.

“Delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network by 2026 is a priority for this government. We have also started the procurement process for seven new smaller vessels as part of phase one of the Small Vessel Replacement Plan.

“We have invested more than £2 billion in our ferry services since 2007 and we have outlined plans to invest around £700 million in a five year plan to improve ferry infrastructure.

"To improve resilience in the short term, we have purchased the MV Loch Frisa and chartered the MV Alfred and will continue to work closely with operators and CMAL.”