Names for seven new CalMac ferries chosen in public vote

The names for seven new electric ferries for routes on Scotland's west coast have been decided by a public vote.

The boats are being built in Poland under the publicly-funded Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) and once completed will be operated by CalMac.

The ferries names are Loch Awe, Loch Etive, Loch Katrine, Loch Maree, Loch Morar, Loch Rannoch and Loch Shiel.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which own ferries, ports and harbours, said the first of the ferries was expected to arrive in Scotland in 2027.

More than 1,000 votes were cast over three weeks, with members of the public choosing their seven favourite names from a list of 17 options provided by CMAL.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said she welcomed the part played by the public in the naming process.

The vessels will serve on a number of routes in Argyll and Bute and the Hebrides.

They include Colintraive-Rhubodach, Lochaline-Fishnish, Tarbert-Portavadie, Iona-Fionnphort, Sconser-Raasay, Tobermory-Kilchoan and Tayinloan-Gigha.