Argyll and Bute Council is to take over management of the Islay to Jura ferry service from current operator ASP Ship Management.
A council spokesperson said: ‘The Islay to Jura ferry service is owned and operated by Argyll and Bute Council but, for several years, the route has been managed by ASP Ship Management on our behalf.
‘However, year-on-year cuts to our funding mean that, like all councils, we must make changes to how we work. The council therefore made the decision at its budget meeting in February that the management of council ferry services should be taken on by our own in-house Marine Services Team.