CalMac pays out £460,000

TAXPAYERS have been left to shoulder the cost of compensation payouts totalling more than £460,000 due to widespread delays and cancellations by state-owned ferry operator CalMac since April last year.

- By Katrine Bussey and John Glover

The Liberal Democrats said the bill is “soaring” because ministers at Holyrood had “let the Scottish ferry network deteriorate”, with delays impacting the delivering of planned new vessels.

CalMac paid £432,735 in compensation to travellers in 2024-25, with a further £33,792 paid out in May and June this year - the first two months of 2025-26.