Scottish Greens minister spends £1,200 of taxpayer cash on private ferry rental

Lorna Slater chartered a 42-passenger catamaran to visit Rum Island last month. Credit: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

A Green Minister in Humza Yusuf's administration spent £1,200 of taxpayer money to charter a private boat to a Scottish island instead of paying £9.40 for a 'pathetic' public ferry service.

A 42-passenger catamaran was chartered to take Lorna Slater, Minister of Circular Economy, on an official visit to Rum Island off the northwest coast of Scotland last month.

The Scottish government said this would provide the greatest benefit to taxpayers and allow Ms Slater to «make the most of her time on the island».

However, the Scottish Tories reported a boat rental cost £1,200 compared to less than £10 pounds sterling for a return ticket on the CalMac ferry. The last favor would have allowed her to spend more than three hours on the island.

The catamaran was intended for Ms Slater and seven other people from her group, despite the fact that the Scottish Greens urged people to abandon private cars and instead to use public transport.

The return trip on the CalMac ferry between Mallaig and Rum costs £9.40. Photo: Chris Gomersall/Alamy Stock Photo

The Tories said the decision was «totally dumb» considering the islanders. forced to «make do with a miserable ferry service» due to widespread breakdowns in Scotland's aging ferry fleet.

Graham Simpson, the shadow Scottish transport minister, said: “Lorna Slater is clearly not ashamed. The government, of which she is a member, has wreaked havoc on Scotland's ferry network due to its incompetence.

«And yet she saw fit to avoid CalMac ferries at under a dozen a person to shell out public money to the tune of £1,200 on a chartered boat to take her and her crew to Rum.”

Ms Slater visited Rum on May 12 to discuss the future of Kinloch Castle, where she was accompanied by members of the Rum Island Community Trust, as well as representatives from the Scottish Government and NatureScot.

Jeremy Hosking, millionaire, city financier and former donor Tory, withdrew his bid for the Edwardian building, blaming Ms. Slater's interference.

On Fridays, the MV Lochnevis leaves Mallaig at 12:45 and arrives at 14:10. evenings. That would give her three hours and 10 minutes on the island before the 5:20 pm flight back.Lorna Slater visited Rum to discuss the future of Kinloch Castle. Photo: John Peter Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

If Ms. Slater needs more time, longer day trips are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays when the schedule allows her to stay for seven hours and 25 minutes.

< p>A round-trip ticket costs £9.40, meaning her entire group could make the trip for £75.20. Instead, Holyrood chartered a boat from Western Isle Cruises for nearly 16 times the price.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Minister's visit on 12 May was well received by residents and community groups. She met with all available adult residents that day and had important discussions with the Rum Island Community Trust during her visit.

“The crossing to Rum was organized by NatureScot with the consent of the Scottish Government to maximize time on the island , communicating with residents, and keeping up with the Slater mission schedule.»