SCOT Squad star Grado has thrown his weight behind a campaign to save a lifeline ferry service and 165 jobs in an Ayrshire town.
North Ayrshire Council is fighting to hold on to Arran ferry, which has sailed from Ardrossan for almost 200 years, after port bosses in Troon, South Ayrshire, told Transport Scotland they could do a better job.
Local people in Ardrossan launched a #SaveOurFerry campaign, urging people to write to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, after Troon announced a bid to poach the Arran and Campbeltown ferry services down the coast.
Now Grado, who plays PC Hugh McKirdy in the hit BBC One comedy show and is an Insane Fight Club wrestler, has given his support by sending his letter to Yousaf.
In a twist on his well-known catchphrase, "It's yersel", Grado said: “It’s yer sail! And it’s oor sail. It’s oor ferry and we need to keep it in Ardrossan. Ardrossan is the fastest way to get to Arran.
“That’s going to slam islanders and visitors right in the pocket. Prices will rise for everyone as costs for local businesses will go up.”
The panto star, who lives in the nearby town of Stevenson, said he had a great affection for his local area and Arran because he had been visiting the island since he was a child.
Grado added: “I’ve been going there since I was a wean and still get the same buzz I did when I was young and was getting the ferry from Ardrossan.
"When I heard aboot the #SaveOurFerry campaign, I was right up for showing support.”
More than three and a half thousand people have written to Mr Yousaf to tell him Ardrossan offers the shortest, fastest and cheapest route to Brodick and Campbeltown. He will make a decision on the Scottish Government’s preferred option by the spring.
North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane said the loss of the ferry would be a disaster for the seaside town.
He claims the move could result in the loss of 165 jobs and £4.4 million in wages.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here