One of the ships at the centre of Scotland’s long-running ferries fiasco has formally entered service.
MV Glen Sannox completed its first timetabled passenger voyage on Monday morning, leaving Troon in South Ayrshire just after 6.50am and arriving in Brodick on the Isle of Arran at about 8.15am.
It had earlier completed a return test sailing on Sunday.
The 102-metre-long vessel and sister ship MV Glen Rosa are years late and have cost more than £400m – four times the original £97m contract price.
The Glen Sannox was originally launched by then first minister Nicola Sturgeon in November 2017. However, it later emerged the ship was far from finished and even had painted on windows during the event.
The ferry was built by Ferguson Marine for CalMac and is the first of six major and seven small vessels set to serve Scotland’s west coast ferry network.
The vessel can carry up to 852 passengers, 127 cars, and 16 HGVs.
The Monday sailing welcomed 104 foot passengers, 23 cars, nine commercial vehicles and 38 crew.
Duncan Mackison, CalMac chief executive, said: “As the first major new vessel built to serve Arran in over three decades, MV Glen Sannox will see the island benefit from increased capacity and a more robust service.
“We hope many, many people will enjoy travelling on her to experience everything our islands have to offer.
“This is a massive milestone for us and for the people of Arran.
“MV Glen Sannox’s entry into service marks the start of an exciting period which will see six major new vessels enter our service, effectively modernising half of our major vessel fleet.”
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Glen Rosa remains under construction at the publicly-owned Ferguson Marine shipyard.
It is scheduled to enter service at the end of the year, but there are rumblings that may be delayed until spring 2026.
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The longer-term plans for deployment of MV Glen Rosa and additional improvements to port facilities will also benefit communities in Ayrshire as well as Arran, and I look forward to updates on progress over the next few months.”
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The Scottish Conservatives said it was a “good day for islanders” but “SNP ministers shouldn’t be congratulating themselves”.
Sue Webber MSP, the party’s shadow transport secretary, added: “The appalling failure by SNP ministers to sort Ardrossan harbour means passengers are facing a reduced timetable, longer journeys and for those going to Troon by train, a shuttle bus to the ferry terminal.
“This is not the service that islanders were promised.
“The Glen Sannox is running from Troon, not Ardrossan and this will have a real impact on our island communities. They shouldn’t be expected to be grateful that the SNP have finally provided the bare minimum.”
