Ferry operator, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) owned by the Scottish Government, could face an increase in fares for visitors to west coast islands as part of a major government review amid rising demand and costs.

According to newly-published proposals, suggest that a reduction in ferry fares by ministers made almost a decade ago to bring them into line with road travel costs, could be reversed for all users with the exception of island residents.

The development came as yet another delay to the hugely-late newbuild hybrid-powered ferry Glen Sannox, was signalled by Clyde based shipbuilder Ferguson Marine, which said its completion could be postponed beyond the latest delivery date set for May.

The Port Glasgow based shipyard cited the delay of the 102m ferry, originally to enter service in 2018 on the Isle of Arran route, was because of problems getting parts for the ferry’s novel dual-fuel system.

In response to the shipyard’s revised delivery date, the Scottish Government has described the announcement as “concerning and extremely disappointing”.

A review of west coast island ferry fares, is a plan that Ministers intend to examine, as part of a new strategy for links to the islands. This follows reduced ticket prices that led to a surge in demand and consequently resulted in overwhelming some routes at already busy peak times.

For more, The Scotsman reports, including reduced fares also applied since 2018 to Scottish east coast ferry firm, NorthLink (operated by Serco) serving Orkney and the Shetland Isles.