MODEL builder Scott Braid of Inverclyde is going full steam ahead with his ‘ferry fine’ latest creation.

He has produced a model of the MV Ali Cat, the vessel which operates on the Gourock to Dunoon crossing.

The wooden 1:30 replica of the catamaran took three years to build, is fully functioning and is operated by remote control.

It was built with help from Scott’s fellow Greenock Model Boat Club members Gordon Fraser and Hugh Shields.

Scott, 21, of Inverkip, said he was delighted to add one of the busiest passenger ferries in the country to his fleet of model boats.

He said: “I already have working models of the two Streaker Class vessels, the MV Saturn and Jupiter that used to sail the route, so updating my fleet seemed the obvious next step.

“I’m really pleased with the finished vessel. It’s an exact replica in every detail.”

Scott has been a model boat club member since 2009.

As well as sailing locally with his club, he often displays his models at other boat clubs around the country.

The former Inverclyde Academy pupil is studying for a national certificate in computing at West College Scotland.

He said: “The Ali Cat has certainly stirred a lot of interest from other model boat enthusiasts.”

The real Ali Cat was built in 1999 by South Boats of East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, and sailed between there and Southampton for the Red Funnel Line before heading north to work for Argyll Ferries.

Last year Argyll Ferries carried around 300,000 passengers between the Ali Cat and the company’s other vessel, the MV Argyll Flyer, from Gourock to the Cowal peninsula, making it one of the busiest routes in Scotland.