Long-awaited ferry the Glen Sannox to enter service within weeks

CalMac has announced that the long-awaited long-awaited ferry the Glen Sannox will enter service in January.

The Glen Sannox was built at the beleaguered Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow and was initially due to be delivered in 2018.

But the vessel and its sister ferry, the Glen Rosa, are still yet to enter service.

The building of the ferries has been a long-running scandal in Scotland, with politicians from all sides criticising the extensive delays and cost overruns.

CalMac – the Scottish Government’s ferry operator that runs services on the west coast – has now announced that Glen Sannox will finally enter service on January 13.

The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry MV Glen Sannox undergoes a sea trial, accompanied by tugs, on a short trip under her own propulsion from Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde. Picture date: Tuesday February 13, 2024. PA Media

It will serve Arran and operate from Troon, South Ayrshire, with the Caledonian Isles ferry forming the other part of a two-vessel service to the island from Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, from March 28.

Transport secretary 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 report in the Scotsman, however, has suggested a possible delay to ferries being built in Turkey which could extend construction by as much as six months.

CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said feedback from the crew of the Glen Sannox suggests it is “performing well”, adding the future prognosis of the ageing Caledonian Isles is “good”.

He added: “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.”