Waverley paddle steamer helps out passengers after CalMac ferry breaks down

The crew of a 79-year-old paddle steamer offered passengers a lift from Mull to Oban after their CalMac ferry was hit by a fault.

The Waverley was headed down the Sound of Mull when MV Isle of Mull broke down on Tuesday.

Another CalMac ferry, the MV Loch Frisa, was available but not all the passengers could be accommodated on a 18:40 sailing and the Waverley's crew asked if it could help out.

Some 42 foot passengers were picked up at Craignure and returned to Oban.

The Waverley is the world's last seagoing paddle steamer and it made its maiden voyage in 1947.

Its owners said the crew was delighted to help out on Tuesday evening.

A spokesperson said: "We were happy to be able to offer this at no cost given the support CalMac has shown towards Waverley over many years."

MV Isle of Mull has since resumed service after spare parts were fitted.

However, some disruption continues to affect CalMac's west coast ferry fleet.

MV Isle of Lewis is unavailable for service while parts are sourced for repairs.

Electrical engineers are due to start work on Friday on a bow thruster issue on MV Lord of the Isles.

MV Loch Seaforth and MV Isle of Islay are operating single-ended, meaning only the aft ramps at the rear of the vessels are available.

This affects the speed of services because traffic has to turn on the car deck to drive off at their destination, instead of driving "through" the ship from one end to the other.

Some larger vehicles have had to reverse on to the ferries.