Recent positive engagement between Orkney And Shetland Isles communities and the Scottish Government has concluded with agreement on this year’s NorthLink drydock timetable.

Further commitment was also reached by all parties to work together to minimise disruption this year and ensure reduced services are kept to a minimum in future years.The discussions followed a recent visit to Shetland by the Transport Minister to listen to views on local transport issues.

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A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "The long term future of ferry services in Scotland is vital not only for Scotland’s economic wellbeing but also for the people in our island and remote communities. The possibility of using an additional vessel during the drydock period was considered but regrettably it was not possible to achieve this.

"While extra sailings were also considered, local feedback was in favour of the basic drydock timetable, which is seen as adequate during periods of stable weather.

"This Scottish Government is committed to ensuring we provide reliable ferry services and that is why we give our assurance that the drydock provisions under the forthcoming contract will ensure that this will not happen again.

"We also welcome the initiative of Loganair to provide an additional flight to and from Shetland four days a week for seven weeks during the drydock period."

(GK)