The threat of disruption to lifeline ferry services has returned after crews voted for strike action.
There are calls for the Scottish Government to intervene in the dispute, which will affect ferries to Orkney and Shetland.
The ballot for industrial action was called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) after the new private operator of the routes, Serco, announced in October that it was seeking to shed 36 posts on the services from Aberdeen and Scrabster in Caithness.
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