THE Gourock-Dunoon ferry timetable will change from Monday, October 21, CalMac has announced.

The move comes after a consultation with the community in both Inverclyde and Cowal on potential improvements to the current timetable, which was published just four months ago.

That timetable has attracted much criticism after passengers realised sailings from Dunoon would arrive in Gourock just a minute after the train left for Glasgow, leaving them facing a wait of almost half an hour for the next service.

More than 600 people took part in the public consultation - and CalMac now says it has taken those concerns on board in implementing the new timetable, which will come into effect on October 21.

The ferry operator says there was an "overwhelming majority" in favour of an option which offered shorter connection times from Dunoon in the morning and to Dunoon in the late afternoon.

This option best suited students, commuters, and people who had to travel to Inverclyde for appointments.  

The changes will see departures from both Gourock and Dunoon five minutes later than at present during peak times, with sailings at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour.

Off-peak, ferries will leave five minutes earlier than at present, to meet trains leaving Gourock at 12 and 42 minutes past each hour.

Those times, however, will leave just two minutes for passengers to make connections with trains at Gourock station as CalMac and ScotRail look to reduce the overall Dunoon to Glasgow commute time to under two hours.

A CalMac spokesperson said: “We recognised the importance of consulting with communities across Cowal and Inverclyde on the ideal ferry timetable, with many people using the Gourock-Dunoon service for commuting, studies or important personal appointments. 

“We’re happy to have found a solution which minimises waiting times for onward travel and is supported by the vast majority of those who gave us their views.”