Ferry subsidies legal challenge — Pentland Ferries responds

A spokesman for Pentland Ferries has said the firm is “extremely disappointed” by today’s news that the firm’s legal challenge against the Scottish Government plans to give £370 million in subsidies for the Northern Isles ferry route has failed.

The spokesman said: “We are extremely disappointed with today’s decision and will now take some time to reflect and decide on our next steps. All we are asking for as a family-owned, subsidy-free local business is to be allowed to operate on a level playing field. We are not asking for the Stromness to Scrabster route to be abandoned, nor are we requesting any funding for ourselves.

“We are simply challenging whether the proposed level of subsidy — £370 million over the next tender period, a significant proportion of which relates to the Pentland Firth route — is necessary and proportionate considering that we have now operated for 18 years without a penny of government assistance.

“There is an ongoing European Commission investigation into this matter and we are hopeful that their verdict will assist in a future that safeguards our service and enables us to operate in a fairer business environment.”