The collapse of plans for a ferry from Rosyth to Europe shows a desperate lack of ambition and drive from those who like to boast of Scotland’s strong European links.

And it also shows the folly of allowing local ports to be owned by huge companies loyal only to shareholders’ dividends, to the detriment of local and national interests.

There’s also a major question to be answered by the SNP, who have governed Scotland for the past 19 years.

Given their constant claims about our strong European links and loyalties, why do we not have one solitary sea link to Europe?

The Republic of Ireland has seven direct ferry routes to the continent, and while I accept that it is an independent country, why can’t the SNP in government strengthen our European credentials with at least one ferry to Europe?

Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn, whose recent TV appearances suggest he still hasn’t mastered his new brief, now has an ideal opportunity to show he’s fully in control after a tough baptism to use his powers to help establish a European ferry connection.

As The Courier reported, just after being appointed in June to the Scottish Government, he said the Rosyth plan........

© The Courier