The SNP's ferry-replacement programme has been hit with a new blow after a ship - which was already significantly delayed and over budget - was flooded with rain water.
The MV Glen Rosa, which has spiralled to £100million over budget, began to fill with rain water at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow when the funnels were removed.
The Telegraph reports the smokestacks were removed by engineers in order to install the ferry's engine. The holes left were covered with tarpaulins, however one of these came loose, exposing the gap to the elements.
This coincided with a sudden, heavy downpour, leading to water starting to flood the ship, which is under construction for CalMac, before it could be covered up again.
Operations manager at Ferguson Marine, Hugh McKenzie admitted the Glen Rosa had “experienced some internal water ingress”.
He added the affected area had been dried out and inspected and that "no damage or lasting impact was identified".
It comes after Ferguson Marine confirmed the Glen Rosa would miss its September delivery date - which had already been revised repeatedly - by as much as nine months.
It also revealed the cost of the vessel had risen by a further £35million, meaning the total cost of the Glen Rosa and sister vessel Glen Sannox has jumped to £460million - including written off loans.
The Telegraph reports this is an eye-watering four-and-a-half times the original contract price, and including the £252million spent keeping older ships in service to cover the delays, the overall bill has now passed the £700million mark, according to CalMac.