AN SNP MSP representing the Highlands and Islands says the situation with the Northern Isles ferry service capacity is “now at a breaking point”.

Emma Roddick also said she supported calls for action on the matter.

It comes after photos showed how people, including older folk, were forced to “compete” for floor space on an overnight ferry from Lerwick to Aberdeen last week as they tried to get some sleep.

Flights out of Shetland that day were cancelled due to fog and as a result the boat to Aberdeen was just shy of its full 600 passenger capacity as people tried to get south.

It all led to Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael requesting that transport officials meet with the Shetland public to discuss the capacity concerns. He said on Monday morning that he had not heard back yet.

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