A FERRY has suffered a set back from coming back into service because of delays, it has been announced.

MV Finlaggan, a large vessel which usually serves Islay, in the Inner Hebrides, has been delayed in annual maintenance and is now due to return to service on Saturday, May 18.

It means the ship will be back in service in time for the Islay Festival later this month.

CalMac redeployed ferries in April to account for MV Finlaggan’s time undergoing maintenance and the revised timetable will remain in place until Saturday, the company said.

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Duncan Mackison, CalMac’s interim CEO, said: “We are frustrated that MV Finlaggan’s return has been delayed, and our fleet management team has had a regular presence at the shipyard recently.

“We have made it absolutely clear that these delays, even if only for a few days, have a real, detrimental impact on the islands and communities we serve.”

“With six new major vessels due to enter service by 2026, including MV Glen Sannox and MV Isle of Islay in the coming months, we will be much better equipped to manage maintenance delays and service disruption.”