After what seems to have been several millennia and at a cost of the entire GDP if the US, a momentous thing happened this week when the MV Glen Sannox finally set sail under its own steam.

A full eight years after work began, the familiar black and white ferry slowly moved from its home at the Ferguson Marine shipyard to start sea trials on the Clyde.

It was a moment the beleaguered islanders on Arran had been waiting for for some time, and no doubt the odd bottle was uncorked and tears shed at the end in sight.

But, of course, this being the ongoing ferry saga, all may not be as it first appears for the vessel still has a way to go before it finally goes into service.

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This is because, remarkably, there is no port on the mainland that is ready to take it.

There are currently huge questions over........

© Herald Scotland