Fair Isle ‘saved’ as UK government pledges £27m to new ferry
The UK government will provide £27 million for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle, it has announced.
The project is part of £177m worth of Levelling Up funding across Scotland, with the Fair Isle ferry the largest grant provided.
News of the investment has been greeted with widespread delight, with council leader Emma Macdonald particularly effusive.
She said it was “no exaggeration” to say the funding had “saved Fair Isle as an inhabited island”.
“There would have been no other way for us to sustainably fund such a project,” she said.
“This is a truly great day for Fair Isle, and for Shetland”.
MSPs Beatrice Wishart and Jamie Halcro Johnston, and MP Alistair Carmichael, were among those to congratulate the SIC on their successful bid.
They also expressed delight that Fair Isle would soon again have a reliable replacement ferry.
The current Fair Isle ferry, the Good Shepherd IV, is almost 40-years-old and less than five years from the end of her life.
Mr ian Tinkler
Westminster steps in where Sturgeon, the SNP, and Edinburgh do nothing. When it comes to independence Shetland needs independence from Sturgeon, the SNP, and Edinburgh.
Fiona Mitchell
It fantastic news for Fair Isle – lots of effort and hard work from SIC, who backed both the project and the Fair Isle community.
Jim Brown
For what, 70-odd folk and some birds? That’s insane and an insult to the rest of the country where there are far more pressing matters affecting far larger, more deserving, groups. If you want to live in the middle of the sea, pay your own way.
Mr ian Tinkler
Fair Isle with an active thriving community is worth far more than £27 million. After all, the SNP managed to overspend £200 million on the Scottish Governments Western Isles ferry fiasco. Save your wrath for those clowns Jim Brown. Remember the SNP live all at sea, unlike Fair Isle folk. As regards a few birds, save your opinions for the birds Jim, that is where they belong.