A CALEDONIAN MacBrayne ferry plauged by months of technical problems has been seen at a berth in Ayr harbour. 

The unusual sight came as CalMac was forced to change the usual berthing arrangements for its Arran ferries because of bad weather.

The MV Hebridean Isles was spotted arriving in Ayr on the morning of Tuesday, August 1.

The ferry has been unable to operate in service since February because of 'manoeuvrability issues' - forcing CalMac to charter a catamaran, MV Alfred, from private operator Pentland Ferries.

The Hebridean Isles has been berthed in Troon while efforts continue to try and fix the ship's technical problems.

But the ship has been sent to Ayr because of a "lack of space", with bad weather forecast on the Clyde restricting the use of berthing facilities at Ardrossan harbour.

A spokesperson for CalMac said: "Due to adverse weather forecast on Wednesday, August 2, MV Caledonian Isles will berth overnight on the Irish berth in Ardrossan tonight (Tuesday, August 1).

"As a result, MV Alfred will relocate to Troon for overnight berthing tonight.

"Due to lack of space at Troon, and to accommodate the relocation of MV Alfred, MV Hebridean Isles has been requested to temporarily move to Ayr."

The Hebridean Isles is the second-oldest major vessel in the CalMac fleet, having entered service in 1985.

Its technical woes have seen CalMac redeploy the even older MV Isle of Arran to serve the Kennacraig-Islay route.

The Isle of Arran would normally operate in summer as the second vessel on the Ardrossan-Brodick service, also operating to Campbeltown three days per week.

Instead, MV Alfred is being used on the Arran route, with the Campbeltown service cancelled altogether until at least August 24.