Commenting on reports that the Gourock linkspan is being taken out of operation Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said: "The news that CalMac has had to remove the Gourock linkspan from service until further notice is yet another blow to local people in Dunoon and the surrounding area who rely on the ferry service.

"The last thing we need, at this very busy team of year, is a reduced service, which Calmac are saying is a likely consequence.

"I appreciate that the company has no choice in the matter and has to act responsibly.

"But this will simply underscore the concerns ferry users have about the resilience of the service after years of neglect by the Scottish Government."