Ardrossan Harbour: written authority - March 2026
Written authority and formal request between the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland regarding the written authority for Ardrossan Harbour. A Written Authority is provided to Accountable Officers by Ministers in circumstances when delivering an action is inconsistent with the Accountable Officer’s Duties and a ministerial direction on the specific action is required to continue.
Introduction
This publication provides correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Chief Executive of Transpot Scotland in relation to the written authority for Ardrossan Harbour in February 2026. Alongside the relevant background for the written authority.
A written authority is provided to Accountable Officers by Ministers in circumstances when delivering an action is inconsistent with the Accountable Officer’s Duties and a ministerial direction on the specific action is required to continue.
Background
At the time of the written authority; the regularity, propriety and feasibility standard of proceeding with the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour was met. Yet the value for money case where the Accountable Officer was required to be satisfied in regards to the level of risks associated with the purchase and the risks in relation to the redevelopment costs of the harbour was more challenging.
In line with Accountable Officer (AO) duties set out in the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000, section 15, the Accountable Officer has a duty to meet the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money.
Therefore on the 25 February 2026 the Accountable Officer for Transport Scotland, Alison Irvine sent the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop a request for a written authority regarding the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour following detailed and complex commercial negotiations between Ardrossan Harbour Company Ltd (part of Peel Ports Group) and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The written authority was issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2026. Relevant correspondence to the Auditor General; and to Convenors of the Public Audit and Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committees is also available on the Parliamentary website.
Details
Date of written authority: 27 February 2026
Portfolio: Director General for Economy
Accountable Officer: Alison Irvine
Minister: Fiona Hyslop
Contact
Email: contactus@gov.scot