Lifeline ferry services to islands and remote peninsulas in the Clyde and Hebridean islands and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland are subsidised by the Government through its sponsorship of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac) and Northlink Orkney and Shetland Ferries Ltd.
It also provides financial assistance to the development and improvement of lifeline piers and harbour infrastructure within the Highlands and Islands. Ports policy is devolved to Scottish Ministers.
The Government is also committed to developing, and ensuring effective use, of the canal network.
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