Alastair Dalton

CalMac’s ferry Isle of Islay has developed a fault with its clam doors only five days after returning from a two-week repair of its bow ramp. The vessel will load traffic from the stern, potentially forcing vehicles to reverse and causing longer turnarounds on the Kennacraig–Port Askaig route. The fault follows a separate mezzanine-deck problem that will reduce car capacity and affect bookings during the tourist season. CalMac is awaiting parts and testing before restoring normal operations, while the Islay Ferry Committee has criticized the vessel’s reliability and maintenance regime. Delivery of three other ferries being built by Turkey’s Cemre shipyard also remains uncertain.

A first-person cycling tour explores the newly developed Alyth Gravel Network in Perthshire with round-the-world cyclist Markus Stitz. The nearly 200-mile network includes quiet roads, gravel tracks, woodland, moorland, riverside paths, a former railway line and historic sites across eastern Perthshire and the Angus glens. Funded by the SSE Drumderg Community Fund and Thomson Charitable Trust, the project aims to encourage responsible exploration, longer stays and support for local businesses. Bikepacking Scotland, Alyth Cyclery and cycle-friendly bus links from Ember are presented as key parts of Alyth’s emergence as a cycling destination.

Scottish Labour MPs and the Scottish Greens are demanding clarification over when the £2 bus fare cap will reach Glasgow and surrounding west-of-Scotland areas. John Swinney pledged during the election campaign to deliver the extension within the SNP government’s first 100 days, but officials have repeatedly revised the start and end dates and now say work is being progressed within the period rather than clearly promising implementation. The Scottish Government plans legislation for a Scotland-wide cap by 2031, while a pilot is already operating in parts of northern and western Scotland. Bus operators are consulting on the proposal and warn that a rushed rollout could undermine a workable national scheme.

Voi’s electric hire bike schemes in Edinburgh and Glasgow are nearing one million rides in each city within a year of their launch, reflecting rapidly growing demand for sustainable transport. Edinburgh’s fleet will expand from 800 to 1,000 bikes, focusing on Leith after tram services were suspended due to a recent fire. Both cities have seen significantly higher usage than their previous hire schemes, with Glasgow recording up to six times more rides. Voi attributes the success to strong council partnerships and rising interest in active, low‑carbon travel, with additional parking infrastructure planned to accommodate increased ridership.

A fire at the former Debenhams store on Princes Street has halted tram services between Shandwick Place and Newhaven, prompting calls for urgent restoration of the eastern section of the line. Planning consultant Robert Drysdale urged the council to escort four trams through the affected zone to enable a shuttle service between Picardy Place and Newhaven, warning that prolonged disruption would inconvenience residents and festival visitors and undermine future tram extension plans. The council cited concerns about structural stability and vibration risks while assessments and safety work continue. Transport groups reported increasing pressure on bus services as the closure persists.

A 14‑mile cycling route around Alyth highlights varied landscapes including forests, moorland, riverside paths and historic sites linked to the Cateran Ecomuseum. The network, created by cyclist and author Markus Stitz with community funding, spans nearly 200 miles and is designed to encourage responsible exploration and local economic support. Alyth Cyclery and the Ember electric bus service are noted as key local assets, and routes accommodate riders of all abilities with options for short trips or multi‑day bikepacking journeys.

Three ageing CalMac ferries are set to be decommissioned and likely sold for summer service in the Mediterranean due to more favourable operating conditions. Their owner, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, cites limited demand in northern Europe and better prospects in warmer climates. Similar vessels previously retired from Scottish routes have found varied second lives abroad, from cruise service to eventual wreckage. Maritime experts suggest the newer ferries may find buyers, while the oldest is expected to be scrapped.

Passengers on Edinburgh Trams are being urged to carry water and handheld fans as rising temperatures cause discomfort on trams that lack air conditioning. Windows and doors are being kept open to increase airflow, and previous mitigation options such as UV window film, more opening windows and higher fan speeds had been examined, though full air‑conditioning installation was deemed costly. Staff represented by Unite may take cooling breaks when needed, while temperatures in the city are forecast to reach mid‑20s Celsius.

A former ScotRail chair criticised plans to replace trains with buses for a 16‑day closure of the Glasgow‑Dumfries line during a £13.5 million Kilmarnock track upgrade, arguing trains could be diverted via an existing route without lengthening journeys. He said the decision reflects longstanding neglect of southwest Scotland’s railways. Network Rail said diverting trains would cause wider disruption and require driver retraining, while ScotRail stated that its trains are not cleared to operate on the diversion route. The upgrade will modernise track layout to reduce delays, with operators emphasising the long‑term benefits despite temporary disruption.

Ember plans major expansion after building one of the world’s largest electric coach networks, aiming to double its fleet and workforce while extending routes into England and potentially overseas. Its strategy focuses on offering reliable, direct services between smaller towns and cities, using dynamic stops and avoiding surge pricing to attract car users. The company reports strong uptake where new direct routes shorten travel times and highlights its high vehicle utilisation and fast charging capabilities as key operational advantages.

A broken passenger access system at Craignure on the busy Mull–Oban ferry route is forcing all travellers to board via the car deck, causing delays and missed connections. The Mull and Iona Ferry Committee condemned the long‑standing failure to repair the gangway, blaming a dysfunctional system and years of inaction since the temporary PAS was installed in 2011. Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited confirmed the system will not return to service in its current form and is assessing alternatives with CalMac and Argyll and Bute Council, including fixing the platform at a set height to allow limited use depending on tides.

Shetland Islands Council advanced plans to replace several ferry routes with a £1.5 billion network of subsea tunnels, using the hard‑rock drill‑and‑blast method recommended by engineering firm Cowi. Proposed links include tunnels between Mainland and Yell, Unst, Bressay and Whalsay, with dual‑heading construction to shorten build times and excavated rock potentially used for land reclamation. Officials say the approach is proven in similar geology in the Faroe Islands and Norway, with further studies needed to assess risks and local conditions.

Leith’s historic role as a leading global centre for building luxurious steam yachts is explored in Ron Neish’s new volume in the Leith-Built Ships series. Nearly 100 lavish vessels were produced between 1875 and 1928, serving wealthy owners such as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Joseph Pulitzer and Guglielmo Marconi. These yachts featured cutting‑edge technology, extravagant interiors and often symbolised the height of personal prestige. The article highlights notable examples, the influence of royalty in popularising steam yachts and the eventual decline of the era with the rise of diesel power, as well as the later conversion of several vessels for military use.

A newly opened £10m North Clyde Service Delivery Centre in Glasgow, modelled on Swiss rail operations, has reduced delays on ScotRail’s busiest route by enabling staff to focus exclusively on the corridor. Network Rail reports an increase in punctuality, a 25 percent reduction in delay minutes, and quicker incident response due to consolidated teams and upgraded traffic management systems. The centre supports operations on the North Clyde and Argyle lines, which handle up to 400 daily trains, and is expected to strengthen reliability further alongside ongoing upgrades to ageing infrastructure.

Councillors in Shetland approved a draft transport strategy that includes four proposed inter‑island tunnels costing about £1.5 billion, with the first link between Mainland and Yell potentially opening in eight years. Further tunnels to Unst, Bressay and Whalsay are also under consideration. While pursuing fixed links, the council plans increased investment in its ageing ferry fleet. Local leaders, including council leader Emma Macdonald and MSP Hannah Mary, expressed support for advancing funding plans with the Scottish and UK governments, highlighting economic, demographic and strategic benefits for the islands.

Rail services between Scotland and London were disrupted after cows strayed onto the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire, leading to cancellations, delays of up to 45 minutes, and a three‑hour line blockage. Avanti West Coast and Lumo trains were among those affected, with alternative route ticket acceptance in place. The incident followed a separate road collision involving cows in West Dunbartonshire that left a passenger critically injured and led to multiple cattle deaths and an arrest of the driver pending inquiries.

CalMac’s new Isle of Islay ferry will undergo two weeks of repairs in mid-July due to bow ramp issues and other warranty items, reducing capacity on the busy Kennacraig–Islay route as it is replaced temporarily by the smaller Isle of Arran. The repair announcement follows other mechanical problems across the fleet, prompting deployment of standby vessels. The situation raises concerns from local ferry committees about reduced capacity during peak season while the Scottish Government works to secure sister vessels under construction in Turkey.

Publicity surrounding ScotRail’s new £10 minimum fare policy led to passengers buying tickets for over 36,000 journeys that otherwise would likely have involved fare evasion. The measure, starting after a three‑month education campaign, targets short suburban trips, particularly in Glasgow, where fares are often under £10. The operator aims to curb fare dodging, reduce associated anti‑social behaviour, and protect revenue, noting that ticketless travel has fallen significantly in recent years. Minimum fares will not apply to certain concessions or passengers unable to access ticket‑buying facilities.

Dame Penelope Keith and her husband bought a derelict former filling station in Avoch in 2005 intending to open a tearoom, prompting years of divided local opinion and a planning appeal that included a police inquiry into a flawed petition. They secured approval and later proposed a revised, more traditional design, but never pursued construction, and a separate café has since opened across the street. After Keith’s death, community leaders highlighted the irony that the once‑controversial site has become a valued public garden and noted her long‑standing ties to the Black Isle and local life.