CalMac's Isle of Arran ferry cancelled after gas leak

The MV Isle of Arran was built in 1983, making it the oldest in the ferry operator's fleet

Sailings on CalMac's busiest route were cancelled on Thursday afternoon after a "leak of gases" from a vessel's exhaust spilled into the engine room.

The only ferry serving the route between Ardrossan and Brodick - the MV Isle of Arran - was out of action while the problem was fixed.

Sailings resumed with the 07:00 service from Ardrossan on Friday.

The vessel has been standing in for the MV Caledonian Isles which has been in dry dock since January.

A new ferry for the route is five years behind schedule.

The MV Glen Sannox, which is being built at the nationalised Ferguson Shipyard, was due to be completed in 2018. It is now expected to be ready this autumn.

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A CalMac spokeswoman on Thursday said: "We regret to announce that MV Isle of Arran had to be removed from service this afternoon for safety reasons following a leak of gases from the exhaust system into the engine room. "

"We are working as quickly as possible to reinstate the Ardrossan-Brodick service and are sorry for this disruption at what is a very busy time for Arran."

They said crew were attempting a repair while external contractors were mobilised.

A later update on the CalMac website said: "Repairs have been successfully carried out on the vessel's engine exhaust leak. Service will resume with the 0700 sailing from Ardrossan."

Thursday's 13:55 ferry from Brodick was delayed until 15:00 to help get as many people as possible off the island before the service was suspended.

Passengers were diverted 125 miles from Ardrossan to Claonaig to get another ferry to the island

A bus service was put in place to help those trying to get on to the island travel the 125 miles from Ardrossan to Claonaig in Argyll and Bute.

From there, they could get a ferry to Lochranza, 14 miles from the island's main town of Brodick.

CalMac advised capacity on the bus route was limited but an additional service would be added if there was "demand from displaced passengers".

For foot passengers trying to get off the island, transport was provided between the two island ferry terminals, and a connecting bus from Claonaig to Ardrossan.

At 40 years old, the MV Isle of Arran is the oldest in CalMac's fleet.

Last month CalMac chief executive Robbie Drummond apologised to residents of Arran for recent disruption to services, while warning of a challenging two years ahead caused by an ageing fleet of ferries.

The Island's main ferry, the MV Caledonian Isles, has been out of service since it went in for its annual overhaul on 9 January.

It was supposed to return to service this week, but it is now expected to begin a phased return to service from 17 April.

The MV Glen Sannox is due to begin service on the Arran route this autumn, five years later than initially planned amid spiralling costs.