Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has voiced his disappointment at the news that Pentland Ferries have pulled out of a deal that would seen MV Pentalina chartered for use on the CalMac network.

The vessel had been undergoing berthing trials at various ports across the west coast and CalMac had identified a number of routes on which she would be able to operate.

The Western Isles MSP, along with his colleagues Jenni Minto MSP and Kenneth Gibson MSP, have been calling for the Scottish Government to secure additional vessels and specifically asked for consideration of MV Pentalina.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented:

“I am bitterly disappointed that Pentland Ferries seem to have walked away at the eleventh hour.

“As recently as the end of last week, CalMac had deployment plans drawn up for the MV Pentalina and were about to engage with communities over timetabling. While the vessel would likely not have been deployed to the Western Isles, she would have added much-needed resilience to the network.

“CalMac needs additional vessels: that is plain for all to see. The Scottish Government now needs to urgently pursue alternative charter options.”