Calmac announce Glen Sannox sailings start date
The boat will start carrying passengers next month
Calmac’s new ferry, the Glen Sannox, will begin taking passengers between Arran and mainland Scotland in mid-January.
The operator confirmed the much-anticipated first timetabled sailings would operate from Monday, 13th January.
The promising news follows an in-water service on Thursday and the conclusion of sea trials that have been taking place since Ferguson Marine handed over the boat in November.
The vessel – which will operate between Troon and Brodick – will bring much-needed additional capacity to the Arran crossing, the busiest route on Calmac’s network.
Duncan Mackison, CalMac’s CEO, said: “The feedback from our crew has been that the vessel is performing well, and there is real excitement across CalMac about getting her into service and serving Arran.”
CalMac also confirmed MV Caledonian Isles, which operates Ardrossan-Brodick, remains on track to return to service in time for the next summer timetable starting on 28 March 2025.
The ferry will re-enter drydock on Friday 20th December for several weeks of steel renewal works. Following these, realignment work and sea trials will take place.
Current plans are for Arran to have a two-vessel service to Brodick, with MV Glen Sannox from Troon and MV Caledonian Isles from Ardrossan, starting on 28 March 2025.
Mr Mackison added: “There has been understandable concern about the future of MV Caledonian Isles but her future prognosis is good, and we are increasingly confident she will return to serve Arran in time for our busy summer period.
“The arrival of MV Glen Sannox and return of MV Caledonian Isles is great news for the Arran community and will see the island benefit from increased capacity and eight return sailings a day from two mainland ports from the summer.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The entry into service of the MV Glen Sannox is very welcome news, as this new vessel will support the people of Arran and wider ferry network.
“She will deliver increased capacity on the busiest route on the Clyde and Hebrides network, and we can all now look forward to her bringing benefits to our island communities and ferry users.
“The MV Glen Sannox is the first of six new major vessels set to serve Scotland’s ferry network, starting in early 2025, underlining the Scottish Government’s commitment to investing in our fleet and delivering the resilient services that our island communities need and deserve. I look forward to sailing on the MV Glen Sannox in the future.”
A full winter timetable for MV Glen Sannox is being finalised with community input and will be published soon.