IT'S ANOTHER BOOT IN THE BOSPHORUS

CalMac and CMAL officials' costly visit to oversee building of 4 ships

- BY CRAIG MEIGHAN

MORE than £1million has been spent sending CalMac and CMAL staff to Turkey to oversee the construction of four new ferries, a freedom of information request revealed.

The companies, which operate and manage Scotland's nationalised ferry networks, have spent a total of £1,016,162 on remuneration, subsistence, accommodation, flights and car hires on staff visiting the Turkish yard since 2022.

CalMac sent eight staff over to Turkey, spending £845,981, while £170.18i was spent on five CMAL employees.

One Ferguson Marine employee was also sent to Turkey but the costs were covered by CMAL.