Ferries bought by ministers

Northlink’s three ferries are to be bought for the taxpayer and operator Serco given an 18-month contract extension as ministers mull over the future of the service.

The move to acquire the vessels on the mainland to Orkney and Shetland routes, which are leased from RBS, was broadly welcomed.

However, the Scottish Conservatives said it must not be a precursor to a takeover of the route by the Scottish Government-owned firm which runs Calmac.