FERRY users on Cumbrae have expressed their anger at CalMac over its service to the island at the start of one of the busiest weekends of the year.

The ferry operator reported on Friday afternoon that there was a wait of two and a half hours for vehicle traffic to board the Largs-Cumbrae ferry - and that was while two vessels were operating on the route.

But CalMac has told the Cumbrae Ferry Users Group (CFUG) that two-vessel service will be reduced to one for the rest of Friday night as visitors flock to Cumbrae for the September weekend and Millport Illuminations - a fixture of the island's calendar since the 1930s.

Angus Campbell from CFUG said: "We have now been informed that the Loch Riddon crew will be finishing their shift at 5pm, so there will only be a single vessel service after that time.

"We have been assured that she will run a full service over the rest of the weekend.

"We are very angry with this, as we had commitments that the second vessel would be fully available over the busy September weekend, and are very frustrated with the poor planning of the crewing, and the total lack of communication.

"We have escalated within CalMac and have been told that they cannot get crew for the second vessel for this evening."

A Cal Mac spokesperson said: "We are right now, as we have been all afternoon, seeking to place the necessary crew to allow the two vessel service to continue as planned. If successful we may see a slight interruption to service to allow changeover, if unsuccessful unfortunately MV Loch Shira will be single vessel for the remainder of today's service. 

"We will advise as soon as possible given the time of day and the demand on the service and backlogs building. Confirmed that MV Loch Shira will operate up to end of service tonight.

"Full crew compliment is in place over the weekend and Monday to deliver the two vessel service and is not impacted by the issues that have occurred this afternoon.

"We have also updated the Service page with the following :Due to crew availability MV Loch Riddon is currently unavailable for service however, we will continue to explore all options to resume a two vessel service this evening. MV Loch Shira will continue to operate to the published timetable.

"MV Loch Riddon will be available for service over the weekend and Monday."