MV Caledonian Isles has finally returned to service between Ardrossan and Brodick.

The ferry left Ardrossan Harbour this morning (Tuesday, April 18) after being out of action for more than three months.

And the vessel's return to service delighted many on the island - who have had to cope with a significantly reduced service since January.

The vessel was originally taken out of service for its annual overhaul a few days into the new year, and was in dry dock for nearly a month, with more than £1m of work being done, including engine servicing.

But inspections uncovered further issues including damage to both engines, with the original estimate for a return of between three and five weeks.

The much smaller, and much older, MV Isle of Arran, has provided the island's main ferry link on its own for almost all of the larger ship's time out of service.

CalMac originally provided a two-vessel relief service for the Caledonian Isles' overhaul period in January, also using the MV Hebridean Isles - before the latter vessel, too, was forced out of service with its own technical troubles.

The disruption cut the number of vehicle spaces available on the route by almost half - while over the busy Easter weekend, foot passengers were advised that they, too, might not be accommodated on their chosen sailing because of capacity issues.

The ferry operator also provided additional sailings between Lochranza and Claonaig in Kintyre to alleviate some of the capacity pressures on the main Arran service.

Repairs and sea trials on the Caledonian Isles were completed by Sunday, April 16.

A one-day phased return took place Monday, with the vessel back in full service from today.

The timetable for the service between April 18 and May 27 is as follows.

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Monday - Thursday:
Depart Ardrossan - 07:00, 09:45, 12:30 15:20, 18:00
Depart Brodick - 08:20, 11:05, 13:55, 16:40, 19:20
Friday:
Depart Ardrossan - 07:00, 09:45, 12:30 15:20, 18:00, 2030
Depart Brodick - 08:20, 11:05, 13:55, 16:40, 19:20, 2140
Saturday:
Depart Ardrossan - 07:00, 09:45, 12:30 15:20, 18:00
Depart Brodick - 08:20, 11:05, 13:55, 16:40, 1920
Sunday:
Depart Ardrossan - 09:45, 12:30 15:20, 18:00
Depart Brodick - 11:05, 13:55, 16:40, 19:20
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The usual two-vessel summer timetable on the route will take effect on May 28.