Two people were discovered hiding in the rear footwells of a car on the ferry from Arran to Ardrossan.

They are understood to have been islanders trying to leave for the mainland.

Passengers were also found hidden in vehicles on other CalMac ferries, attempting to evade the ban on non-essential island travel.

Despite the Scottish Government lifting restrictions to allow families to visit eachother, Arran residents are still barred from visiting relatives on the mainland.

A group of golfers were discovered in a van on the crossing between Largs and Cumbrae.

In both instances, their attempts were thwarted with the stowaways reported to have been found by CalMac staff after attention was brought by other people.

They were prevented from travelling.

A ferry source told the Scotsman: “Some people are going stir crazy after being refused the ability to travel for more than two months.”

Currently, CalMac is preventing all but essential travel on their ferries until the end of June, despite the Scottish Government implementing Phase 1 of lockdown.

CalMac director of operations Robert Morrison said: “As per Scottish Government guidelines, travel to our islands remains for essential purposes only.

“We have had some occasions when people have tried to gain passage to or from our islands by concealing themselves in vehicles.

“Anybody found to be doing so will be not be allowed to travel.

“We would again encourage people to behave responsibly and respect the wishes of island communities until guidelines allow for non-essential travel.”