I’m still not quite sure why a Scotland Office (ie, UK Government) minister was convening a round table this week on the woes afflicting Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services. I doubt if he is either.

It is as plain as a painted-on porthole that ferries are a devolved responsibility and that failures of procurement and all that flows from them are the wholly owned property of the Scottish Government. So why pretend otherwise, except for a bit of mischief?

John Lamont, under-secretary of state at the Scotland Office, chose to pretend otherwise. “It would be remiss of me as a Scotland Office minister if I did not heed the growing chorus of voices alarmed that CalMac’s fleet is ageing and promised new vessels linger on blocks or the dockyard quay,” he intoned gravely.

No, Mr Lamont, it would not have been remiss. On the contrary, there is no provision in the devolution settlement for the reserved role of good shepherd, seeking out casualties of the Scottish Government in order to lend a sympathetic ear, leading to absolutely nothing.

If a Tory minister wants to research failures of government as they affect Scottish communities, there are plenty places to hold round tables: perhaps on how Brexit is working out for them, or where a frontline discussion on social security might be educational. Are there any planned?

Read more: Highland problems will only be solved by taking action on land

In other words, it would be better if UK and Scottish governments stuck to their respective knitting until they can work together. It is more difficult........

© Herald Scotland