A French military ship has berthed at Hunterston terminal on Wednesday evening.
Crew members visited Fairlie during their stay, and were asking locals about restaurants in the local area.
Some residents thought that the ship was an aircraft carrier, but the Tonnerre (Thunder in English) is an amphibious assault helicopter carrier of the Marine Nationale.
She is the eighth ship to carry the name, and its homeport is Toulon. Crew members confirmed to Fairlie residents that the ship was passing through, after rumours spread last week that a similar vessel was based at Clydeport for repairs.
The vessel is 653m in length, with a top speed of 21.6mph,and can carry 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters.
Tonnenerre was also seen anchored off Greenock Esplanade prior to the beginning of Joint Warrior exercise on the Clyde on 6 October.
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