A Caledonian MacBrayne ferry damaged when it crashed into a harbour has been successfully repaired and is expected to resume service on Monday.
The MV Hebrides, which had 76 people on board, was attempting to dock at Lochmaddy on North Uist when the incident occurred on September 25.
A technical failure on board meant the ship was unable to slow down enough for routine docking and it struck both harbour pontoons as well as rocks on the seabed.
A team of divers inspected the damage below the waterline and the ferry was then taken to dry dock in Greenock for repairs, while timetables and services were rearranged.
CalMac said on Friday that the MV Hebrides will leave the dry dock on Saturday for sea trials and, if successful, will return to service on the Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy route two days later.
Ferries the MV Clansman and MV Lord of the Isles, which had been re-routed to provide cover, will resume normal service the same day.
Ross Moran, CalMac's general manager operations, said: "Many communities have been disrupted to a greater or lesser extent by MV Hebrides being taken out of service for dry dock repairs.
"None more so than South Uist, which temporarily lost its daily return service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig with MV Lord of the Isles. While there has been some very understandable frustration about the situation, there has also been a much appreciated amount of understanding and support, for which CalMac is very grateful.
"We thank the people and businesses of South Uist and all other communities affected by this uncertain period for their great patience, and we apologise for the undoubted inconvenience. We look forward to successful completion of sea trials for MV Hebrides on Saturday and a return to normal service across the network on Monday."
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