There's going to be no additional relief for stressed ferry routes around the Western Isles for more than month as MV Alfred will continue to be deployed on the Ardrossan-Brodick route until 29 June.

The vessel is currently on charter from Pentland Ferries and has spent a familiarisation period of two weeks on the main Arran route.

She will remain there until the end of June as the second vessel.

CalMac has also announced that additional services will be provided by MV Alfred from Friday 26 May. She will operate three return sailings per day, Friday-Monday, and two earlier departure return sailings Tuesday-Thursday, berthing at the Irish berth in Ardrossan.

Existing MV Isle of Arran bookings will be migrated to MV Alfred sailings and customers who are affected will be contacted directly. Any remaining capacity on the vessel will operate on a non-bookable basis. MV Caledonian Isles will continue to operate alongside on this route as a bookable service.

As we continue to manage delays to the annual overhaul schedule, the Ardrossan-Campbeltown service will now commence on 30 June, with affected customers being contacted directly.

Robbie Drummond, Chief Executive of CalMac, said: “We very much welcome the introduction into service of MV Alfred and the resilience that she is providing on the main Arran route.

“This route has been operating with only one vessel for some time, so the addition of MV Alfred will provide much-needed support to the local community.”

Vessel deployment plans beyond 29 June 2023 will remain under review.