Scotland’s ferry service suffered a further setback today after it was confirmed a vessel being built in Turkiye will not be in service until later in the year.

MV Isle of Islay, the first boat from the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard, was due to be finished in October last year and enter service towards the end of 2024.

This was extended to the end of this month but it is now expected to be completed at the end of June, with crew familiarisation to follow, meaning it will miss at least the early part of the tourism season.

The shipyard in Yalova, northwestern Turkiye, blamed a shortage of specialist engineers and factors around inspection of parts.

Cemre won the £130 million contract to build two vessels for Islay in 2022. It later secured orders for two more ferries for the Uig, Lochmaddy and Tarbert route.

Commenting on the delays, Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber said: “This is yet another blow to Scotland’s betrayed island communities, who are sick to the back teeth of delays to upgrading their decrepit ferry fleet.

“The buck stops with SNP ministers who are responsible for this national scandal. Islanders must wince every time they hear of an update from CMAL or CalMac because it’s always more bad news.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said: “This is more bad news for islanders. No matter where the ferries are coming from there seem to be delays.

“Ministers should set out whether taxpayers get any money back if there are delays to the delivery of these boats.”