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12 August 2025
To provide you with certainty for your travel plans with us to/from Arran for the period up to 12 October 2025, we’ve shared the very latest details on how the service will operate during this time, below.
From 8 September – 14 September our service to/from Brodick will operate from Ardrossan while Troon port is temporarily closed for linkspan works. During this period, the service will operate as a single vessel service to the published timetable for the Ardrossan-Brodick route (except for the later sailing on Friday evenings) and it will be delivered by MV Isle of Arran.
From 15 September – 12 October a two-vessel service will operate from Troon-Brodick with MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred and no service will operate from Ardrossan.
We will provide further details on our plans for the final week of the summer timetable and then the winter deployment at a later date.
MV Caledonian Isles – the vessel which ordinarily serves the route between Ardrossan-Brodick remains unavailable for service. Until we have a confirmed date for her return, we have put an alternative deployment plan in place.
As always, for the latest day to day information on this service and all other routes, please check the service status page of our website which carry the very latest details on each service.
If you have a booking that’s affected by the information above, don’t worry – we will be in contact with you shortly. We’re contacting customers who have a booking for dates / services affected in date order of sailing.
While we work on existing customer bookings, the booking system on our website may show that some sailings are unavailable. This is temporary and means that our team is making changes to existing bookings.
Our service status page for each route will be kept up to date on progress on booking amendments and when sailings are open online for new reservations or amends – and as always will provide the latest information on the service.
Options for travel to Arran also include our Turn Up and Go service between Claonaig - Lochranza
Throughout these changes to deployment plans and to manage the period when Troon port is unavailable to us, our focus is always on limiting any effect on you, our customer. We do appreciate your understanding of the bigger picture and your patience while we manage this.
Our update below details all the latest and relevant information for customers traveling to and from Arran. Our service status page for the route is regularly updated with the latest service information on the service.
For those of you who are interested, we shared that MV Caledonian Isles, the vessel which ordinarily services the route will undertake further work in dry dock in Leith. If you would like to know more, you can read our latest news release.
We will provide details on service plans for the remainder of summer (from 8 September to 19 October) by 8 August.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been keeping you updated on how we will operate our services to/from Arran while one of our major vessels, MV Caledonian Isles, remains unavailable to us for service. Below we’ve shared details to provide those of you travelling to, or planning to travel to/from Arran with information and certainty for your journey with us.
We’ve also shared some more information to set out the background and reasons for any changes to service plans.
As always, for the latest day to day information on this service and all other routes, please check the service status page of our website which carry the very latest details on each service.
Arran services
Ardrossan-Brodick, up to 0945, 24 July – the service between Ardrossan and Brodick will operate up to the 0945 departure from Ardrossan on 24 July, when MV Isle of Arran will depart from Brodick to Kennacraig.
No service between Ardrossan-Brodick, 25 July – 7 September inclusive – there will be no service between Ardrossan-Brodick while a return to service date for MV Caledonian Isles remains unconfirmed. We are preparing plans on the basis that she may be unavailable to us until at least 7 September.
Ardrossan-Brodick 8- 14 September inclusive – a service will operate between Ardrossan and Brodick while essential works on the linkspan at Troon are scheduled to take place from 8 to 14 September. We will share more details on plans for this period including transport connection advice by 8 August 2025. If you already have a booking for travel between Troon/Brodick, we will be in contact with you to move your reservation to an alternative sailing.
Ardrossan-Brodick – 15 September onwards - We will provide details on service plans for the remainder of summer (from 8 September to 19 October) by 8 August.
Troon-Brodick 15 July – 24 July – as previously communicated, the route will operate as a single vessel service while MV Alfred is undertaking essential maintenance, with a revised date of return of MV Alfred to 25 July.
Troon-Brodick 25 July – 7 September - a two-vessel service will operate between Troon-Brodick with MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred.
Troon- Brodick 8-14 September – essential works on the linkspan at Troon are scheduled to take place, and during 8-14 September Arran services will operate between Ardrossan-Brodick only. We'll share more details on plans and transport connection advice for this period by 8 August. If you already have a booking with us for this period, we will be in contact with you to move your reservation to an alternative sailing.
Troon-Brodick, 15 September onwards - We will provide details on service plans for the remainder of summer (from 8 September to 19 October) by 8 August.
Full details on all sailing times can be found on the service status page for each route.
If you are a customer with a booking for the dates / routes mentioned above
If you have a booking that’s affected by the information above, don’t worry – we will be in contact with you shortly. We’re contacting customers who have a booking for dates / services affected in date order of sailing.
If you are a customer who is planning to make a booking for the dates mentioned above
While we work on existing customer bookings, the booking system on our website may show that some sailings are unavailable. This is temporary and means that our team is making changes to existing bookings. Please do check back later.
Our service status page for each route will be kept up to date on progress on booking amendments and when sailings are open online for new reservations or amends – and as always will provide the latest information on the service.
Alternative routes
Options for travel to Arran also include our Turn Up and Go service between Claonaig - Lochranza.
The broader picture on vessels and MV Caledonian Isles
MV Caledonian Isles – the vessel which ordinarily serves the route between Ardrossan-Brodick remains unavailable for service. Until we have a confirmed date for her return, we have put in a plan in place which works on the assumption that she will be unavailable to us until at least 7 September 2025. This allows us to provide you with certainty about our service plans over the longer term. Should her return date be confirmed in the meantime, then we will revert to plans for her to operate from Ardrossan.
Finally, and importantly
Our plans for this period also consider maintenance requirements of other vessels and the needs of other services and communities across the network. Our focus is always on limiting any effect on you, our customer. We do appreciate your understanding of the bigger picture and your patience while we manage this.
Customer bookings – We have now been in touch with all impacted bookings. Our booking system is open for new bookings and amendments from Monday 7 July until the end of the summer timetable.
If your preferred route is unavailable, please consider trying one of the alternatives - we have three route options for travel to Arran -Ardrossan to Brodick (services to operate from Ardrossan to Brodick from 7 July), Troon to Brodick and our turn up and go service from Claonaig to Lochranza. Always, view our service status pages for the latest information on your route.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been regularly updating you, our customers with information to support travel plans to/from Arran, while we work with external experts to rectify additional issues with MV Caledonian Isles, which had been due to return to service on the route.
Last week we indicated that we were working on plans for services to Arran while MV Caledonian Isles remains unavailable to us. We have shared these below to provide you with certainty for your travel plans. These address additional deployment needs and maintenance requirements elsewhere on the network.
Services to Arran
Until 6 July (inclusive) – the current timetable will continue to be operated by MV Alfred and MV Glen Sannox, between Troon-Brodick.
From 7 – 11 July, MV Isle of Arran will operate between Ardrossan-Brodick to an amended timetable, that will incorporate MV Isle of Arran serving both Arran and Islay during this period.
From 12 July – 21 July inclusive, MV Isle of Arran will operate the scheduled summer timetable sailings between Ardrossan-Brodick, however, two late sailings on Friday evenings will not operate.
During this period (7-12 July) MV Alfred, currently operating between Troon Brodick must undertake a period of essential maintenance which cannot be delayed. And, between 9-11 July, MV Lord of the Isles, serving Islay, must also take essential repairs which cannot be delayed further.
For Arran, during this period MV Glen Sannox will continue to operate between Troon-Brodick with some amendments to provide better sailing times for customers.
Our potential deployment plans from 22 July onwards will be shared at a later date and are subject to further developments with MV Caledonian Isles.
Full details on all sailing times can be found on the service status page for each route.
If you are a customer with a booking
From Wednesday 2 July, we will be in contact with customers who have a booking for this period (up to and including 21 July) which is affected. We'll do this in date order of sailings.
Our service status for the route will be kept up to date on progress on booking amendments – and as always will provide the latest information on the service.
If you are a customer who is planning to make a reservation / amendment
While this work is underway, our booking system on our website may show that some sailings are unavailable. This is temporary. Please do check back later.
Tips on travelling to/from Troon
For those who are not familiar with travelling via Troon, we’ve shared some useful information on our website, including details on shuttle buses from Troon railway to the Troon ferry terminal and between Ardrossan and Troon ferry terminals. Please do check before you travel.
Again, importantly
We have been sharing updates on repairs to MV Caledonian Isles for a longer period than ever anticipated. It has been a unique set of circumstances to deal with – and we are always acutely aware of the effect on customers. Our deployment plans, take into account maintenance requirements and services across the network, and as always are designed to limit any effect on you, wherever we possibly can. We always appreciate your understanding of the bigger picture and your continued patience.
Stay up to date
As always, to stay up to date with the latest information on the service status of each route, please continue to check our service status pages for the route, download our app, check X (formerly Twitter) feed - Opens in new window@CalMac_Updates, and sign up for SMS text subscription services.
Further to the previous updates below - MV Caledonian Isles is conducting ongoing sea trials, with external contractors continuing to provide support as trials progress.
Services to Arran
MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will continue to operate the service to/from Troon-Brodick until Sunday 6 July to the current timetable.
Following completion of service on Sunday 6 July, MV Alfred will be removed from service for essential maintenance between Monday 7 July to Monday 21 July.
What customers can expect – looking ahead
We are currently working on deployment and contingency plans for this period (7 July onwards) should MV Caledonian Isles not be available for service.
We will provide an update on service plans by Wednesday 2 July and confirm next steps for the vessel following the trials.
Customer bookings
All customers with bookings affected have been contacted and moved or updated. Our service status page for the route will be kept up to date– and as always will provide the latest information on the service.
We appreciate your patience
Our service updates pages will carry the latest information for the route. As outlined below – we continue to manage the challenge with MV Caledonian Isles alongside planning for multiple scenarios. We appreciate the patience shown by communities and customers while we do this.
Building on our previous update on 17 June, MV Caledonian Isles will now be moved to drydock following attendance by divers and the manufacturer. This means she will be unavailable for service. We don’t yet have a return to service date until the investigation takes place.
This is the next stage of efforts to resolve what we now know to be an ongoing issue with pressure levels in her propulsion system. We will provide another update on this next week.
Services to Arran
MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will continue to operate the service to/from Arran until 6 July, as per the current timetable - with the exception of 25 June.
However, on 25 June, MV Alfred needs to be off service to fulfil prearranged mandatory MES training.
MV Alfred requires essential maintenance, which has already been delayed once to support network requirements, between 7 and 21 July.
We will provide a further update on deployment plans next week when the investigation has progressed further.
Customer bookings
All customers with bookings from 25 June, up to and including 6 July, which are affected, will be contacted in date order of sailing. Our service status page for the route will be kept up to date on progress on booking amendments – and as always will provide the latest information on the service.
Our booking system is currently being updated. If you some sailings seem unavailable – this may be temporary while this work is underway. Please do check back shortly.
What customers can expect – looking forward
The investigation and inspection of the vessel will take a few days. Until then, we cannot accurately say how long any repair might take. But – we are planning for a range of possible scenarios, which range from the issue being resolved in a few days to it taking significantly longer.
To give communities and customers certainty, we’re removing MV Caledonian Isles from deployment plans for now and will provide a detailed update on any service impact early next week.
Importantly
Although we plan and prepare for multiple eventualities – this is not what we hoped for. Everyone at Caledonian MacBrayne is disappointed that MV Caledonian Isles is not yet ready to carry passengers. This is keenly felt by our team, and we know that will be the case for customers and communities – especially so close to her planned return to service. We continue to work closely with the gearbox manufacturer onsite. Thank you to the communities and customers for your patience while we work at pace to resolve this further issue – and to return her to service.
Following on from our recent update on 16 June, we are moving the return date for MV Caledonian Isles to 25 June 2025. We have taken this decision to provide customers with certainty into the weekend while work continues to identify and then resolve the issue with her gearbox.
Services to Arran
A two-vessel service between Troon-Brodick will be operated by MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred as per the current timetable, until the end of Tuesday 24 June.
Customer bookings
All customers with bookings which are affected up to 24 June 2025 will be contacted. Continuing to have MV Alfred in the fleet means that we can honour all bookings – albeit from Troon. We will be in touch with affected bookings in sailing date order with further information and confirmation. Our service status page for the route will be kept up to date on progress on booking amendments – and as always will provide the latest information on the service.
Repairs to MV Caledonian Isles and what to expect
Work continues to resolve the issue with the vessel’s gearbox which was identified during sea trials. Further sea trials will be undertaken to gather data. The gearbox manufacturer, who has been working with us remotely, is sending a technical specialist to the vessel who will arrive on Thursday to provide further support to diagnose and resolve the problem.
Once repaired, the vessel will require a further two days of sea trials prior to re-entering service.
We share the feeling that these further delays are disappointing, especially so close to her return to service. We have taken the decision to delay her return date to provide the community and those of you travelling to/from Arran with certainty over the weekend. Thank you once again for your patience.
Further to our update below (13 June 2025), works are ongoing to resolve outstanding issues with MV Caledonian Isles’ gearbox. Continued efforts over the past few days have ruled out a number of potential root causes. Specialist engineers will attend the vessel to investigate further. Following their work, the vessel will then be required to carry out two days of sea trials. It is now intended that MV Caledonian Isles return to service date will be Saturday 21 June. Should there be any changes to this date we will keep customers informed.
MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will continue to provide a two-vessel service from Troon up to and including Friday 20 June.
We will provide our next update on the morning of Wednesday 18 June and thank you for your continued patience.
Customer bookings
All customers with bookings which are affected up to Friday 20 June will be contacted. We will be in touch with affected bookings in sailing date order. Our service status page for the route will be kept up to date on progress on booking amendments.
Due to issues identified during sea trials, that require further rectification, there is a delay with MV Caledonian Isles returning to service. Repairs are continuing and following successful completion, sea trials will be required. Further information will be provided on Monday 16 June.
Services to/from Troon: MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will continue to operate the Arran service to/from Troon. Please see the timetable here.
Information on services from Troon can be found here.
Further to our update below (09 June 2025), the earliest we expect the vessel to return is Tuesday 17 June. This is due to minor issues identified during sea trials. For the most up to date information, view the routes service status page. A further update will be provided on Monday 16 June. During this period, MV Glen Sannox & MV Alfred will continue to operate Troon-Brodick to the following timetable.
Thank you to the communities, customers and our team for your continued patience as we finalise this lengthy repair process.
Further to the update on 06 June, MV Caledonian Isles is expected to return service on Friday 13 June and will operate to/from Ardrossan on a phased entry.
Ardrossan - Brodick service
13 June and 14 June- MV Caledonian Isles will operate to/from Ardrossan - Brodick on a phased entry with an amended timetable. Check our service status page for amended timetable details.
From 15 June - MV Caledonian Isles will resume timetabled service from Sunday 15 June. View timetable.
Troon - Brodick service
Up to 13 June: MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will continue to operate Troon-Brodick until Friday 13 June.
14 June - 19 October: MV Glen Sannox will operate between Troon and Brodick. View timetable.
Customer bookings – All customers with impacted existing bookings between Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 June will be contacted, from Monday 9 June. We will be in touch with customers in sailing date order.
For the most up to date information, view the routes service status page.