SCOTLAND'S First Minister John Swinney has admitted that talks over who foots the bill for the Ardrossan Harbour upgrade have been "extended, protracted and very difficult".

Responding to a question at Holyrood on Thursday, October 10 ,Mr Swinney added: "There has been no lack of effort put into it - we just have not managed to get to an agreement."

The harbour, owned by Peel Ports, needs a major upgrade if the two new ferries expected on the Ardrossan to Arran route in the coming years can even operate from the port.

The harbour redevelopment was agreed more than six years ago, but the project was called in by the Scottish Government almost a year ago because of rising costs.

Since then, Peel Ports have shut the secondary Irish berth - with half the Arran service relocated to Troon harbour.

The First Minister also outlined moves put into place to ensure the ferry service to Arran continues, despite the return of the main vessel MV Caledonian Isles - out of service since January - being delayed once again, this time to November.

In his question, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asked Mr Swinney: "On Tuesday, CalMac announced that the return of Arran's resident ferry the MV Caledonian Isles was to be delayed again.

"Since it was taken out of service in January, the timescale of the vessel's return has gone from early March, to June, to August, to September, to October and now to mid-November.

"This has greatly impacted Arran's long-suffering people, businesses and visitors.

"With no obvious agreement yet on the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour, how will the Scottish Government and its agencies ensure the ferry service to Arran is robust and resilient and one that islanders and visitors have confidence in?"

MV Caledonian IslesMV Caledonian Isles (Image: James McLaughlin) The First Minister replied: "I accept the points that Mr Gibson makes on behalf of his constituents on Arran and the position with the MV Caledonian Isles has been difficult.

"We hoped the vessel would come back in service several weeks ago, indeed it came back from significant repairs in Birkenhead, but the issue Mr Gibson has raised has caused a delay to that.

"The Transport Secretary has enacted dialogue with CalMac to ensure continuity of service and there has been extended, protracted and very difficult dialogue about Ardrossan Harbour.

"Mr Gibson, given his close attention on this issue, knows how difficult that has been.

"There has been no lack of effort put into it, we have just not managed to get to an agreement.

"We have managed to sustain a two vessel services on the Ardrossan/Troon/Brodick route over the course of this period and Ca;Mac will endeavour to make sure that remains the case to serve Mr Gibson's constituents and the Transport Secretary will keep him updated on developments."