The two CalMac ferries that are being built at the Ferguson shipyard on the Clyde have been hit by a further delay.

One of the boats – hull 801 which will be called the Glen Sannox – will now not be ready until the autumn rather than May of this year.

A second ferry, known as hull 802, had been due for handover in March 2024 but will be delayed to that autumn.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said an additional £6m would also be allocated to help complete the ferries.

This is on top of the £15m of extra funding for Ferguson Marine already provided by the Scottish government this financial year.

The ferries are already five years behind schedule, with the cost of the project three times more than was originally estimated.

Announcing the latest delay in Holyrood, Mr. Swinney said “persistent design gaps and build errors” meant that “progress has been slower than planned for the 801 vessel”.

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