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1 October 2025
Following confirmation that MV Caledonian Isles is available for service and Ardrossan Linkspan is now available, MV Caledonian Isles will now begin a phased return to service, operating return sailings between Ardrossan-Brodick on 2 and 3 October 2025. Her planned services for 4 October have been affected by the poor weather conditions which have been forecast. Full details can be found on the Ardrossan – Brodick service status page.
A further update for her service plans from 5 October onwards will be shared later this week.
What this means for customers planning to travel Ardrossan-Brodick on 2 and 3 October
Please note that all sailings will be on a heightened risk of disruption or cancellation at short notice due to the adverse weather conditions expected from Storm Amy.
Our booking system is not open for new reservations for this route as we work on moving displaced traffic from the Troon-Brodick service. This is temporary – please do check back later – as once displaced traffic has been contacted and moved, any remaining available space will be opened for reservations. Our service status page for the route will show when this work is complete.
What to expect when travelling to/from Ardrossan
Our port team will be on hand to help you when you arrive at Ardrossan. You can find out more about opening hours and facilities available on our Ardrossan port page.
If you are travelling to the Ardrossan port by vehicle, due to roadworks on Glasgow Street and Princes Street at Ardrossan, journey times to/from Ardrossan port may be impacted. Please allow for an additional 30 minutes when travelling to/from Ardrossan port.
Weather – and staying in touch
As we move into this next phase of MV Caledonian Isles’s return, we also acknowledge we are about to enter a period of unsettled weather. Storm Amy has been forecast – and so, please do check our customer update for the latest advice, and stay up to date with the latest information on all routes via our service status page over the next few days – as we do expect some weather related disruption, as can be the case for this time of year especially.
Thank you
As always, we really appreciate the patience everyone has shown throughout this unique set of circumstances.
Following a period of extensive repairs and sea trials, we’re very pleased to let our customers know that MV Caledonian Isles will operate a return sailing between Ardrossan-Brodick this evening, 1 October. Full details can be found on the Ardrossan – Brodick service status page.
A further update on her intended sailings for 2 October to 4 October, will be provided later today, 1 October. Then timetables for sailings from 5 October to 7 October will be provided on Friday 3 October. This will include any information on bookings. Our service status page will be kept up to date with the latest information.
Useful context of MV Caledonian Isles’s sailings
As you may know, MV Caledonian Isles has undergone a long period of repairs. It has been a challenging period for the communities we serve, and for our staff.
A temporary timetable of sailings allows for our crew to be refamiliarised with the vessel – this is essential and understandable, given that the vessel has been out of service for a lengthy period.
What this means for customers wishing to travel Ardrossan - Brodick on 1 October
The return sailings will operate on a Turn Up and Go basis. This means they are not bookable online or over the phone while they operate on this format – however tickets will be available from our port teams.
If you already have a booking to travel on a sailing to/from Troon – we'd recommend you sail as planned and as per your booking while the service between Ardrossan-Brodick operates as a Turn Up and Go service. If you plan to travel from/to Ardrossan instead of your booked Troon sailing, please let us know in advance so we can cancel your Troon bookings and please do remember we are unable to provide a confirmed booking for Ardrossan – Brodick sailings on 1 October.
We can confirm that at present, there will be a limited catering offering onboard. Please factor this into your travel plans.
What to expect when travelling to/from Ardrossan
Our port team will be on hand to help you when you arrive at Ardrossan.
If you are travelling as a foot passenger, the car park at Ardrossan port will open between 15:30 - 19:30 on 1 October.
If you are travelling to the Ardrossan port by vehicle, due to roadworks on Glasgow Street and Princes Street at Ardrossan, journey times to/from Ardrossan port may be impacted. Please allow for an additional 30 minutes when travelling to/from Ardrossan port.
The coffee cabin at Ardrossan will not be open on 1 October.
Weather – and staying in touch
As we move into this next phase of MV Caledonian Isles’s return, and as the crew refamiliarise themselves with the vessel, we also acknowledge we are about to enter a period of unsettled weather. Storm Amy has been forecast – and so, please do check our customer update for the latest advice, and stay up to date with the latest information on all routes via our service status page over the next few days – as we do expect some weather related disruption, as can be the case for this time of year especially.
Thank you
As always, we really appreciate the patience everyone has shown throughout this unique set of circumstances.
MV Caledonian Isles, the vessel which ordinarily has served the route to Brodick, Arran has been undergoing extensive repairs, which have reached a final stage, and the vessel will now undertake a programme of checks, trials and crew familiarisation. Following a successful completion of these, she'll undertake a phased return to service. She won't be available for timetabled service until these have been completed. However, we'll keep customers updated when the process has progressed to the next stage.
Building on the updates below, we wanted to provide confirmation of arrangements for services to/from Brodick, Arran for the period 13 October – 19 October inclusive.
During this period, Arran services will operate from Troon – Brodick.
A two-vessel service will operate between Troon-Brodick – delivered by MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred.
A single vessel service will operate between Troon-Brodick, delivered by MV Glen Sannox.
If you are a customer with a booking for this route between 13 October – 19 October
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 13 October – 19 October
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.
Finally, and importantly
Thank you for your patience as we work through these changes and deployment plans. Our focus is always to limit the effect on our customers – we do appreciate your understanding.
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.