A long-awaited CalMac ferry has been launched at Ferguson's shipyard in Port Glasgow.

Crowds cheered as the 3,000-tonne vessel successfully left the slipway, making it the heaviest vessel to have been launched from the Clyde yard.

The MV Glen Rosa is the second of two delayed ferries being built by the nationalised shipyard.

High winds led to a short delay during the speeches until the river pilot with the waiting tugs decided it was safe enough to proceed.

But once the ceremonial bottle of whisky finally shattered on the bow, the ship descended smoothly into the water to the sound of cheers, klaxons and local MSP Stuart McMillan playing the Skye Boat Song on the bagpipes.

The yard was packed with members of the public who had gathered to celebrate the launch. The numbers were so great that many had to watch from beyond the gates.

Among the onlookers was Paul Gurton and his daughter Annabel who had travelled from Inverkip.

"You get a sense of pride for the local community - and hope for the future. Hopefully there'll be more orders," he said.

"It's something that doesn't happen often on the Clyde anymore."

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