Sailings between Largs and Cumbrae have now increased as lockdown restrictions are lifted, however social distancing measures mean capacity is still limited on the MV Loch Shira.

From July 1 until July 14, the next phase of CalMac’s timetable will see departures from Largs and Cumbrae slip every 30 minutes.

Departures from the mainland begin at 6:45am from Monday to Saturday, with the final departure at 8:15pm.

This means the first departure from the island will be at 7am Monday to Friday with the final boat departing for Largs at 8:30pm.

Services will run every 30 minutes during these times with the exception of 9:45am and 2:45pm departures from Largs and the 10am and 3pm departures from Cumbrae slip.

On Sunday’s, services run every 30 minutes from Largs between 8:15am and 8:15pm, with the exception of 2:45pm.

Departures from Cumbrae are between 8:30am and 8:30pm, with boats every 30 minutes except 3pm.

The next phase of the timetable will begin on July 15, which will see a further increase in sailings on the route.

Due to social distancing measures, the MV Loch Shira will run at 35 per cent of its regular capacity with a mix of foot traffic and vehicles.

A turn up and go service is still in place on this route, which check-in ten minutes prior to departure for vehicles and passengers.

CalMac Managing Director, Robbie Drummond said: “I am pleased that due to some very hard work, we have been able to bring forward both our new interim timetables, the second by two weeks.

“From July 1 to July 14 we will be introducing phase one of a new interim timetable which will increase sailings while strictly following the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland’s travel guidelines and safety measures.

“This includes physical distancing which dictates the number of passengers we can carry.

“From July 15 onwards we will implement phase two of our interim timetable which will see a further increase in sailings.”

Alex Gallagher, portfolio holder for recovery and renewal, said: “I have had meetings alongside the leader of the council with groups on Cumbrae to make sure we are aware of what their needs are, and we are trying to make their needs known to CalMac and the Scottish Government.

“It is good that CalMac are coming up with a more frequent service, but it does not cover the total needs of the islanders and businesses.

“The islanders have been on the island a long time and they need priority, so the ticketing system needs to be looked at.

“They can look at any way they can increase the capacity, one of the things they are looking at on the Arran ferry is to use the decks.”

Cllr Gallagher added: “We really need CalMac to step up to the plate and be more imaginative, it’s about a service and the customers that count on.

“We’ve already lost half of the summer so we need to be looking at how we can salvage some of that, so they need to be thinking outside the box.”

CalMac’s full timetable can be found at www.calmac.co.uk/largs-cumbraeslip-cumbrae-ferry-temporary-timetable.