Mixed response to Scottish Government plans to buy Ardrossan Harbour

There has been a mixed response to news the Scottish Government is exploring the possibility of buying Ardrossan Harbour.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop told Holyrood on Wednesday discussions that could end with the SNP administration buying the Peel Ports owned site are "progressing at pace."

Ms Hyslop revealed officials from Transport Scotland and CMAL - the body which owns the ferries, ports and harbours for ferry services in Scotland - have been instructed to explore the "potential purchase" of the site.

Peel Ports welcomed the news, as did North Ayrshire Council.

But campaign group Save Ardrossan Harbour described the announcement as ‘concerning’ and ‘saddening’, with fears if talks break down, it could be the final nail in the coffin of the coastal town being the main ferry route to Arran.

Matt McGowan from the group said: “To be honest, we’re quite concerned and saddened by the news that the business case for Ardrossan Harbour is no further forward.

“Ardrossan continues with no sailings, communities and businesses continue to be suffering the affects of the move to Troon and for the first time in a long time, the Arran route is no longer the busiest route on the Calmac network.”

Before adding: “Now we are at new negotiations to buy the harbour, and the concern is the delay.

“And if talks breakdown again, is there a risk that Ardrossan is no longer the option?”

Matt’s comments are in stark contrast to other stakeholders in the saga, with Peel Ports encouraged by Wednesday’s events.

Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said: “Peel Ports Group welcomes the Scottish Government’s statement that it intends to explore the potential purchase of Ardrossan Harbour.

“Since being confirmed by Scottish Ministers in 2017 as the preferred route to serve Arran, we have remained fully supportive of its redevelopment, spending several million to maintain the critical service and designing and securing necessary consents required for the harbour’s redevelopment.”

Leader of North Ayrshire Council, Marie Burns added: “We warmly welcome confirmation that the Scottish Government is exploring the potential purchase of Ardrossan Harbour.

“There has been understandable anxiety over the future of the facility however we have always been confident that the economic, environmental, practical and social case for retaining and improving Ardrossan Harbour was overwhelming.

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised this uncertainty and has committed to push forward discussions at pace around the potential change of ownership at the harbour.

“The Ardrossan to Brodick route is the shortest, fastest, greenest and cheapest route and will ultimately serve the Arran community more effectively in the long term than any alternative route.”

The Government has pledged to invest more than £530 million in the coming year to "support and enhance ferry services, including for Arran", Ms Hyslop said.

She said cash for the potential purchase of the site has been included in the Scottish Government's Budget for 2025-26.

CalMac's new Glen Sannox ferry currently sails to Arran from Troon in South Ayrshire, as the vessel is too big for Ardrossan.

Ms Hyslop told MSPs talks about purchasing the harbour are taking place in a bid to "ensure we make progress on finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost-effective way."

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