Shetlanders have hit out at a government decision to lengthen ferry journeys and possibly cut back winter sailings.

Yesterday the Scottish Government announced that it was raising ferry fares on the Western Isles services and cutting fuel bills on the Northern Isles service to save money.

The two passenger ferries must now run on two engines rather than four to save money on fuel.

The move will add an hour to journeys between Lerwick and Aberdeen that go via Kirkwall.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said: “I’m appalled that the government has chosen both to increase our fares, reduce our services and absolutely ignore the needs of our freight industry – particularly for time-sensitive products such as salmon and other fish which need to be in the market place the day after they come off the islands.

“What the government seem to have done is say, ‘we don’t care about these issues. We just care about saving money and to hell with the consequences’.

This government decision must be overturned.”

The number of trips between Shetland and Aberdeen could be reduced from 14 a week to just six.

Ken Duerden, Transport development manager of the islands’ transport partnership ZetTrans said: “This makes a complete mockery of the consultation process and everything we have set up. We have established forums through which these things should be discussed.”

A government spokeswoman said the decision to cut fuel costs had been taken “in the face of an extremely difficult” economic situation.

NorthLink said that it was finalising a new timetable, which will be introduced in May.