Chamber and committees

Details of scheduled sailings, the number CalMac operated on the Gourock-Dunoon route, and the variance between them, are publicly available on CalMac’s website: Regional Performance | Performance | Corporate CalMac, selecting the Clyde South monthly performance report option.

This information is publicly available within the Route and Island Performance on CalMac’s website, however the number of sailings CalMac operated on Gourock-Dunoon route, and number of passengers carried for the April to June quarter in 2024, 2025 and 2026 is:

CalMac’s annual fuel consumption associated with the operation of ferry services between Gourock and Dunoon per year since 2024 is detailed in the following table.

The Outline Business Case is still being developed. Once complete, it is scheduled to report to Transport Scotland's Investment Decision Making Board and then Ministers in due course with updates being provided to stakeholders at key milestones.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Funding is allocated to CalMac on an annual basis in connection with the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract, however this is not broken down by route. Funding provided by the Scottish Government for CHFS services is included in the relevant Section 70 report, which are available online: Section 70 Grant Payments In accordance with: Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 Section 70(4) Financial Year 2024-25; Transport Scotland Section 70 Return - 2025-26 | Transport Scotland.

A timeline for delivery of new vessels will be provided following the approval of both the Outline Business Case and Final Business Case. To ensure continued safe operations, CalMac is undertaking life extension works to the current vessels, detail of which have already been publicised. Updates will be provided at the appropriate time.

This major investment programme includes a port masterplan to redevelop Gourock, new passenger only vessels and associated harbour infrastructure adjustments at Dunoon and Kilcreggan. The number of replacement vessels for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service is being considered as part of the overall Outline Business Case and will be reported in due course.

Vessel design studies are set to conclude later this year, with passenger capacity and capital costs included in the Outline Business Case.

On 6 August, I announced a financial package worth up to £3 million to provide support to business affected by the fire. The fund will be administered by The Highland Council with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the wildfire, maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery, while also contributing to the longer-term economic recovery and resilience of the area.

In addition, the Scottish Government funds Crisis Grants through the Scottish Welfare Fund to support individuals to meet immediate short-term needs when an emergency or a disaster has happened, and there would be a risk to wellbeing without a grant. Applications are administered by local authorities, including Highland Council.

Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the Highland Council, HIE and Cairngorms National Park Authority on what further support may be required for the area in the longer term.

I met with the Chief Executive and Medical Director of NHS Highland on 18 August 2026. This meeting discussed the plans in place for current patients and the long term vision for sustainability of oncology provision within the region.