The company announced on Friday morning that six weeks of disruption to ferry services between Rothesay and Wemyss Bay would begin on Monday, January 14, as work got under way on removing the old side-loading linkspan and gangway at Rothesay pier.

As a result of the work the 6.15pm sailing from Rothesay each evening, including Sundays, will be diverted to run to Gourock instead of Wemyss Bay, with a timetabled arrival at Gourock of 7.25pm.

This also means that the daily 7pm sailing from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay will not operate for the duration of the work.

However, the last sailings from both Rothesay and Wemyss Bay, at 7pm and 7.45pm respectively, are not affected by the changes.

This, though, did not mollify island councillor Isobel Strong, who told us: "This is appalling – I've emailed CalMac straight away to say that this is totally unacceptable.

"It means people working on the mainland who miss the quarter past six boat at Wemyss Bay now won't get home until well after eight o'clock.

"The short notice we've been given about this is ridiculous."

In a statement announcing the changes CalMac apologised for any inconvenience caused by the work and stated that all efforts would be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

Foot passengers using the 6.15pm sailing from Rothesay should note that a train connection is available at Gourock on Mondays to Saturdays, departing at 7.45pm and arriving in Glasgow Central at 8.26pm.

On Sundays, though, the train doesn't leave Gourock until 8.20pm – making it quicker to wait in Rothesay, catch the 7pm crossing to Wemyss Bay and take the train from there.

Trials were carried out last Tuesday evening to see whether the second Rothesay vessel could berth overnight at the pier while the linkspan work takes place, but it quickly became clear it would not be possible to safely tie up the ferry at the western berth overnight.

With a mainland overnight berth the only remaining option, CalMac have chosen to send the other vessel to the shelter of Gourock rather than the more exposed pier at Wemyss Bay.

Island councillor Len Scoullar said: "I very much regret the absolute need to alter the timetable to facilitate the ongoing pier works.

"Efforts were made to try to accommodate the ferry at night during these works, but to no avail. Working with all involved I will try to ensure that the disruption is kept to a minimum."

The work is not expected to affect sailings during the morning peak hour, with the vessel involved sailing from Gourock each morning in time to pick up the timetable with the 7am crossing from Rothesay.

The removal of the linkspan also means the Rothesay service has seen the last of CalMac's side-loading 'streakers', which operated on the route faithfully from the introduction of MV Saturn in February 1978 until the Polish-built MV Argyle entered service on May 4 last year.