Chamber and committees

The Edinburgh South Suburban Line is already open and operates regular freight services. However, in line with the Scottish Government’s 100 day commitment, a feasibility study has been commissioned to examine the challenges and opportunities of restoring passenger services on the route using tram trains.

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:

The number of passengers carried by CalMac on the Gourock-Dunoon between March 2025 and March 2026, inclusive, according to the number of passengers per sailing is detailed in the following table.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02393 on 31 August 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

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.

When a disruption occurs on the Gourock-Dunoon route, a replacement bus service linking with Western Ferries will be available as it currently is during the period of scheduled works on the MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer between 2 September 2026 and 25 March 2027.

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 has not had any discussions with ScotRail regarding the delivery of a single-vessel ferry service operating between Gourock and Dunoon.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the impact it is having on civilians.

We recognise the appalling circumstances many Gazan students are experiencing, including those who have secured university places in the UK but face significant barriers in taking them up.

In academic year 2025-26, the Gaza Student Support Scheme enabled 27 students on fully funded scholarships to access their studies at Scottish universities. Keeping this vital route open gives students from Gaza a path to safety, stability and the chance to fulfil their potential. The Scottish Government has consistently pushed the UK Government to continue this scheme and we welcome the recent announcement that the scheme will continue into 2026-27.

Building on this support, the Scottish Government has pledged to work with Universities of Sanctuary to explore how we can further support students from Gaza, including through the development of a postgraduate Scottish Gaza Scholarship Programme. Further detail will be set out to Parliament as this work progresses.