The Scottish Government’s takeover of Ardrossan harbour has sparked controversy after the cost of the deal was kept secret behind a confidentiality clause, despite official guidance warning against such provisions in taxpayer-funded projects.
The purchase, completed through Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited from Peel Ports, brings a key ferry port into public ownership — but leaves the public in the dark over how much was paid.
The secrecy is compounded by concerns over value for money. Ministers pressed ahead with the deal despite being warned by officials that they could not confirm it met required standards due to “significant uncertainties”.
With redevelopment costs expected to run into tens of millions of pounds on top of the undisclosed purchase price, questions are now mounting over the true cost — and whether taxpayers will ever be told.
The Scottish Government’s takeover of Ardrossan harbour has now raised major questions about cost, transparency and risk. So what exactly has happened — and why does it matter?
What has actually happened?
The Scottish Government, through its asset-owning company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, has bought Ardrossan harbour from private operator Peel Ports. The move brings the key port into public ownership, with CMAL now controlling the infrastructure while CalMac continues to operate ferry services. It effectively means another critical part of Scotland’s ferry network is now owned by the state.
Why did the Government step in?
The short answer is that the existing system had broken down. Ardrossan is the main mainland port for ferries to Arran, but its condition had deteriorated and relations between CalMac and Peel Ports had become increasingly strained.
At one stage, CalMac described the harbour as being in an “unacceptable” condition, raising concerns about safety and reliability despite millions being paid in harbour dues. At the same time, there was no agreement over who should pay for major upgrades, with costs rising sharply and risks increasing.
How do the ferries fit into this?
A major part of the problem centres on new vessels, including the long-delayed and over budget MV Glen Sannox. These ferries are larger than the ships they replace and require upgraded infrastructure to berth safely.
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The issue is that Ardrossan was not ready for them. Critics say this mismatch should have been addressed years ago when the ferries were first ordered, but instead Scotland ended up with new ships and a harbour that could not properly accommodate them.
So why was the harbour not simply upgraded without buying it?
For years, discussions took place between the Scottish Government, Peel Ports and North Ayrshire Council over how to fund the necessary work. The sticking point was who would pay and who would take on the financial risk if costs spiralled.
With estimates rising from around £40 million to potentially £80 million to £150 million or more, no agreement could be reached. Buying the harbour outright removed that deadlock and allowed ministers to take full control.
How much did the Government pay?
That remains unclear. CMAL has confirmed that it cannot disclose the purchase price due to a confidentiality clause in the contract.
That means taxpayers are funding the deal but are not being told how much it cost — a situation that has triggered significant criticism.
Is that normal?
Not really. Scottish Government financial guidance states there is a “general presumption against the use of confidentiality clauses” in publicly funded deals. While such clauses are not banned outright, they are supposed to be used only in exceptional circumstances and must be justified.
The expectation is that decisions involving public money should be open to scrutiny, which is why the secrecy surrounding Ardrossan has raised concerns.
Could the cost still be revealed?
It is possible. Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, public authorities must release information unless there is a valid reason not to. Even where confidentiality clauses exist, they do not automatically override the law.
Now that the deal has been completed, the case for keeping the price secret may become harder to sustain, particularly given the level of public interest.
Were there concerns about value for money?
Yes, and they were significant. In a submission to ministers, Transport Scotland chief executive Alison Irvine warned that the deal could not be confirmed as meeting value-for-money standards.
She cited “significant uncertainties”, including a lack of full information about the condition of the harbour, the risks involved and the scale of future redevelopment costs.
In a stark statement, she said: “I am therefore unable to provide assurance that the Value for Money standard has been fully met.”
So why did ministers go ahead anyway?
They chose to override those concerns. In such cases, officials can request what is known as written authority, allowing ministers to proceed despite risks being flagged. That is what happened here. It means the concerns were formally recorded, but the decision to go ahead was taken at a political level.
How much could the whole project cost?
The purchase price is only one part of the total. The real cost includes the extensive redevelopment needed to make the harbour suitable for modern ferries. Estimates for that work have already ranged from £80 million to £150 million, and could rise further. When combined with the undisclosed purchase price, the total bill for taxpayers could be substantial.
Why is Ardrossan so important?
It is the fastest and most direct ferry route between the mainland and Arran and has been in operation for more than a century.
The route is vital for island residents, businesses and tourism. Any disruption has serious economic and social consequences, which is why ensuring the harbour is fit for purpose is seen as essential.
How many ports does the Government now own?
Through CMAL, the Scottish Government already owns around 26 ports and harbours across Scotland. With Ardrossan now added, the majority of the infrastructure supporting west coast ferry routes is in public hands. This reflects a long-standing policy of keeping lifeline transport links under state control.
Has this happened before?
In one sense, yes. Scotland’s ferry network is already largely publicly owned, with CMAL owning vessels and infrastructure and CalMac operating services. What makes Ardrossan different is that it was previously privately owned, and the Government stepped in to take control after negotiations failed.
What are critics saying?
The criticism focuses on two main issues — secrecy and risk. Opponents argue that taxpayers are being asked to fund a major infrastructure purchase without being told the cost, while officials have already warned that value for money could not be guaranteed. There are also concerns that the project could become another high-profile spending controversy, following problems with ferry construction.
What do ministers say?
The Scottish Government insists the move was necessary to secure the future of ferry services to Arran. It argues that bringing the harbour into public ownership removes uncertainty and allows redevelopment to move forward. Ministers also say work is ongoing to determine what information about the cost can be released and when.
What happens next?
Attention will now turn to how quickly and effectively the harbour can be upgraded, and whether costs can be kept under control. There is also likely to be continued pressure for transparency, with calls for the purchase price to be made public.
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