Ferry fares in Scotland will increase by an "unwelcome" 10% next year, the Scottish Government has announced.
The rise will take effect from January 1, 2025 on the Northern Isles network and from March 28 on the west coast.
CalMac's services in the west have been under pressure due to ageing vessels, with the main Arran ferry out of action for most of the year.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a fare freeze in place this year had cost £10million and it would be "too challenging to continue".
In a letter to Holyrood's net zero, energy and transport committee, Ms Hyslop said: "Reluctantly, we are having to raise ferry fares in the coming year by 10%, bringing fare levels back to around what they would have been had fares not been frozen in 2023-24.
"This means, in real terms, fares have broadly increased in line with inflation over time.
"That will help to partially recover the previous freeze, address some of the significant budget pressures and allow the continued support of the ferries network in future years."
The announcement comes at a challenging time for the ferry system across Scotland, which continues to be hit by disruption.
Trails of the late and over-budgeted Glen Sannox were further delayed in October following a blackout on board.
The ferry and its sister vessel are already more than five years late in being delivered and the original £97 million cost has soared to more than £300 million.
CalMac vessels now face a challenging period as the state-owned operator tries to maintain services over winter, when vessels need to be withdrawn for annual maintenance.