CROWDS of excited onlookers will flock to Ferguson Marine today for the Port Glasgow launch of MV Glen Rosa.

The vessel is set to hit the water for the first time early on Tuesday afternoon in what will be a major milestone in its journey towards completion.

Members of the public have been invited - on a first come, first served basis - to attend the shipyard and watch the ceremony, with the gates due to open from 12.30pm and the ferry set to launch from her slipway into the Clyde around 1.30pm.

Guests will be piped in by Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan ready for the launch ceremony, which will kick off shortly after 1pm.

The schedule for the day includes short speeches delivered by recently-appointed interim CEO of the yard, John Petticrew, and the Scottish Government's wellbeing economy secretary, Mairi McAllan.

Rev William Boyle, Minister at the Port's New Parish Church, will bless the ship before Beth Atkinson, a qualified welder who completed her apprenticeship at the yard, smashes a specially-bottled whisky from Ardgowan Distillery to officially name and launch the vessel.

The ferry, formerly known as Hull 802, is due to be handed over to operators CalMac by September 2025.

After heavy rain this morning, conditions are expected to improve around lunchtime with clouds and temperatures of around 8°C forecast.

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