Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
25 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Public Transport (Island Communities)
My understanding is that CalMac has continued to work closely with the community on Cumbrae to fully consider the changes and the issues that relate to loading and offloading. Kenneth Gibson has been a vigorous campaigner for his constituents, but my understanding is that CalMac’s decision is based on safety. At the moment, that is how I think that the situation will continue.
In the same item of business
1. Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its cross-Government co-ordination on island connectivity, what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had wit...
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Jim Fairlie)
SNP
The Government has published its on-going and proposed investments in ferries and other public transport island connectivity in the islands connectivity plan...
Katy Clark
Lab
A constituent of mine who lives on Arran has contacted me about the lack of joined-up, integrated provision of public transport on the island. She advises th...
Jim Fairlie
SNP
Katy Clark has raised a very good point on integrated services, which I have raised before. It does not work if a ferry arrives in port and the passengers wa...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
Against community wishes, CalMac has reduced services to Cumbrae this summer, and it is combining an overzealous approach to health and safety with new sched...
Jim Fairlie
SNP
My understanding is that CalMac has continued to work closely with the community on Cumbrae to fully consider the changes and the issues that relate to loadi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Question 2 was not lodged.