Waverley's operators cancel ALL Scottish cruises in May, June and July

Waverley Excursions Ltd (WEL) made the announcement in a statement on their website, blaming extended boiler works for the decision.

Paul Semple, the company's general manager, added: “I am sincerely disappointed to confirm that due to extended boiler works we have had to withdraw Waverley’s sailings in May, June and July.

"For the past 11 weeks our crew and contractors have been working on the ships boilers but the repair has increased in complexity and cost.

"I am aware that many of our passengers will have made arrangements to sail on Waverley and I appreciate that this news will be very disappointing.

"I offer my personal apologies and would like to reassure our supporters that we are doing everything possible to get Waverley back in steam.”

Passengers who have booked for sailings which have been withdrawn will be contacted by Waverley Excursions to rebook or will be offered a refund.

The company says it will make a further announcement regarding the boiler repairs once it has more information.

The Waverley had been due to operate a holiday weekend of Clyde cruises at the end of May, followed by a week sailing in the West Highlands, ahead of her main Clyde summer season, which was scheduled to run from late June until the end of August.

The decision comes after WEL announced earlier this year that the Waverley would not call at Helensburgh pier at all in 2019 owing to the unsafe condition of the structure.

READ MORE: Waverley won't call at Helensburgh at all in 2019

However, extra calls at Kilcreggan were included in the vessel's spring and summer timetables, and coach connections were to have been laid on to take passengers between Helensburgh and Kilcreggan.

Friday's decision is expected to cost the firm - and the communities visited by the Waverley - a significant sum in lost revenue.

The company's statement made no mention of Clyde sailings beyond July.