ARRAN’S main ferry service will sail to and from Troon instead of Ardrossan for at least four more days after a ‘defect’ was found at Ardrossan harbour’s only remaining useable berth.

CalMac’s service was diverted to Troon from Thursday, February 10 due to a forecast of strong easterly winds – though the severe weather meant that it was Friday before any sailings actually operated on the route at all.

Normal service to and from Ardrossan was due to resume on Monday, February 12. 

But in an update issued on Monday morning, the ferry operator said that a fault had been discovered with one of the fenders – the devices that absorb the energy from ships when they are berthing and prevent damage to ships and berths – at Ardrossan’s only remaining berth.

CalMac now says the Arran service will continue to sail to and from Troon until Thursday, February 15 – but that it’s still awaiting a timescale for the fender repair work from the Ardrossan terminal’s owner, Peel Ports.

A spokesperson for CalMac said: “Whilst MV Isle of Arran is operating to Troon due to strong easterly winds, Peel Ports used the opportunity to do repair work on the fenders at the Arran berth in order to improve the resilience of the berth.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: MV Isle of Arran will continue to sail to and from Troon instead of Ardrossan until February 15, CalMac saysMV Isle of Arran will continue to sail to and from Troon instead of Ardrossan until February 15, CalMac says (Image: Jean Penman/South Ayrshire on Camera)

“The defected fender has been removed to make repairs and we are currently waiting on a timescale from Peel Ports.

“Due to this and combined with forecasted weather conditions in relation to wind direction from Wednesday onwards, we will continue to operate to Troon.

“During this time we will take this opportunity to train and familiarise our Vessel and Port Staff with our Troon operations.”

The latest news comes after Peel Ports announced on February 2 that the second berth at Ardrossan - the so-called 'Irish berth' - had been permanently closed on safety grounds, sparking a furious response from local politicians.

A freight-only service has already been operating between Troon and Brodick, using the chartered catamaran MV Alfred, since January 30.

The timetable up to and including Thursday, February 15 is as follows.

Depart Troon: 07:00, 11:10, 16:10

Depart Brodick: 08:50, 13:50, 18:00

An update on sailings from Friday, February 16 onwards will be provided on Wednesday, February 14.

Foot passengers on the route are being told they must have an advance booking before being allowed to travel on the Troon-Brodick service.

Foot passengers heading for Arran can travel either to Ardrossan harbour by car, or to Troon railway station by train, with a shuttle bus connection available at both locations.

CalMac’s spokesperson added: “Please do not arrive at Troon without a booking. All passengers must have a booking to travel on this service.

 

 

“Please note, only booked commercial and car traffic should travel to Troon directly and must remain in their cars in the port area. 

Please be advised that all tickets will be checked upon boarding the bus service to ensure foot passengers hold a valid booking.”

Additional, non-bookable, sailings are operating between Lochranza, at the north end of Arran, and Claonaig in Kintyre to supplement the limited capacity on the island's main ferry service.

For the latest information see the service status section of CalMac's official website and follow @CalMac_Updates on X (formerly Twitter).