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“Milestones” have been achieved in the construction of two electric ferries for Scotland’s west coast network, according to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL).

Seven ferries in total are being built in Poland for CMAL to serve on routes operated by CalMac.

During a ceremony in Gdansk last week the keel, the base around which the hull of a ship is built, was laid for the first vessel and steel cut for the second.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said she was pleased the programme was “progressing at pace”, with the latest work done ahead of schedule.

CMAL said laying of the keel marked a “significant milestone” and the ferry was expected to arrive in Scotland in 2027.

Remontowa Shipbuilding SA is building the vessels under the publicly-funded Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP).

Once completed, the new electric ferries will be operated by CalMac on routes across Argyll and Bute and the Hebrides.

Each will have capacity to carry up to 150 passengers and 24 cars.

Their names, MV Loch Awe, MV Loch Etive, MV Loch Katrine, MV Loch Maree, MV Loch Morar, MV Loch Rannoch, and MV Loch Shiel, were decided last month by public vote.

The Scottish government said the programme would improve reliability and resilience in lifeline ferry services across the Clyde and Hebrides network.

The new ferries will serve on the following services:

• Colintraive-Rhubodach
• Lochaline-Fishnish
• Tarbert-Portavadie
• Iona-Fionnphort
• Sconser-Raasay
• Tobermory-Kilchoan
• Tayinloan-Gigha