The Arran Ferry Action Group has disbanded with members claiming they are exhausted by the "incompetence and intransigence" of ferry stakeholders who refuse to engage with them.

They officially agreed to dissolve the organisation at a meeting last night - before today's "perfect storm" of new ferry problems were revealed.

As we reported earlier today, Peel Ports announced they were shutting Ardrossan Harbour's Irish Berth for good. 

Read more: Ardrossan's Irish Berth closed for good by owners Peel Ports

And within hours, Caledonian Marine announced that the launch of Arran's new ferry, The Glen Sannox, would be delayed from March until late May - at least.

Read more: Arran's new ferry won't arrive until late May (at least)

We contacted the Arran Ferry Action Group today to get their thoughts on the latest problems - and discovered the group had taken the step to close down.

They blamed many of those involved in the delays to the new ferries for the island, and the delays to long awaited upgrade of Ardrossan harbour.

But they excluded ferry operators CalMac, singling them out as the one stakeholder who engaged with them.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: CalMac

The group's former secretary Chris Attkins said: "Arran Ferry Action Group is so exhausted by the incompetence and intransigence of key stakeholders that last night we took the decision to dissolve our organisation because, with the exception of CalMac, who are saddled with ancient vessels and inadequate infrastructure, those who have responsibility for provision of our lifeline ferry services refuse to engage with us."

The Isle of Arran Ferry Committee (IoAFC), which long preceded the AFAG, is still going strong.

It's membership consists of NAC, Arran Community Council, the NHS, Visit Arran, Stagecoach, Independent Traveller, NFU, Arran Community Voluntary Service as well as CalMac, CMAL and MSP Kenneth Gibson.