One of the largest ferries in the CalMac fleet, Finlaggan, of 5,626 gross tons, which usually serves Islay in the Inner Hebrides, has been delayed in annual maintenance, reports The National.

Afloat.ie adds that the almost 90-metre ferry is currently berthed nearby in Birkenhead Docks having been in a dry-dock at the Cammell Laird shipyard also on Merseyside.

The 550 passenger/88 car ferry is now due to return to service on Saturday, 18 May, which means that the vessel built in 2011 is expected to be back in operation in time for the Islay Festival (24 May-1 June) as Afloat previously reported over concerns about capacity.

In April, CalMac had redeployed ferries to account for the withdrawal of Finlaggan on the routes connecting Port Askaig/Port Ellen and the mainland at Kennacraig on the Mull of Kintyre. This was to facilitate the ferry undergoing maintenance and the implementation of a revised timetable that will remain in place until Saturday, the company said.

Commenting on the disruption, CalMac’s interim CEO Duncan Mackison, 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.

More from the newspaper here.