Orcadians left high and dry

The operators of Orkney Ferries must feel they have been treated like second class citizens when it comes to the help available to transport providers to see them through the pandemic.

Other firms sailing to Scotland’s remote communities have rightly received Scottish Government assistance, but Orcadians are at risk of being left high and dry as social distancing rules bite into the income generated by the boats carrying people and vital supplies to 13 islands.

It would be remiss of SNP ministers not to revisit the case for keeping afloat what is without doubt a lifeline service – and one genuinely at risk of disappearing.