AN old friend has returned to the Largs-Cumbrae ferry service once more - 47 years after its first sailing on the route.

MV Isle of Cumbrae has been drafted in by CalMac after the MV Loch Fyne was taken offline due to a technical fault involving the propeller.

The Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) combines propulsion and steering in one unit. 

A CalMac spokesperson said: "Until further notice due to an issue with the Voith unit, MV Loch Fyne has been removed from service. Investigations have identified that further work is required, due to this the vessel will remain unavailable for service.

"MV Isle of Cumbrae has been redeployed to this route and has taken up service alongside MV Loch Tarbet, until further notice. Customers are advised queues may be likely and preferred sailing times are not guaranteed."

The older ferry was being used on the route between Tarbert on Loch Fyne and Portavadie on the west shore of Cowal.

Built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company at its yard in Troon, MV Isle of Cumbrae - Eilean Chumraigh in Gaelic - was launched just before Christmas 1976, and entered service between Largs and Cumbrae Slip in April of the following year.

Isle of Cumbrae in Largs in 1977Isle of Cumbrae in Largs in 1977 (Image: Newsquest)

She also provides cover across the CalMac network each winter, and has been a frequent 'stand-in' on the Largs-Cumbrae service over the years.

A crew mess room was added behind the passenger saloon in early 1994, with the upper deck extended over it. In early 2002, the ship was re-engined with Scania diesels.

She has capacity for 160 passengers and 18 cars across three lanes on her vehicle deck.

She has been the oldest vessel in the CalMac fleet since the 'Island Class' vessel MV Eigg was retired from service in April 2018.

MV Isle of Cumbrae will serve alongside MV Loch Riddon for the next few days, but her stay on the route where she entered service will be brief.