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Further problems with ferries from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran

Posted by (Lake District, England) on

Separate to the current vessel shortages which are affecting ferries to Arran there is further disruption to the first and last sailings each day for the time being.
For the second time in a month the navigation lights at Ardrossan are having problems.

So services operating in the hours of darkness are subject to diversion to alternative ports (Gourock or Troon) or cancellation. This will depend day to day on visibility and weather

The harbour is run by Peel Ports, so this is not a CalMac problem.

So while this continues keep a close eye out for notifications from Cal Mac.

The alternative routes via Troon and via Kintyre remain open currently to add capacity and resilience

Posted by
7968 posts

CalMac have now published their revised 'big ship' winter timetables (to 27 March) for the whole network to reflect that they are one ship short-

Arran- The Isle of Arran remains on the Ardrossan to Brodick route with all her limitations and the MV Alfred remains on the Troon route until 4 March except 10 to 17 February. The Lochranza route finally closes for winter on 15 November except the one daily compulsory booking sailing to Tarbert (Loch Fyne)

Isles of Coll, Tiree and Colonsay- amended and retimed services

Uig to North Uist and Harris- revised and retimed services in November due to diverted traffic for South Uist. Subject to further changes in January to March depending on vessel availability for South Uist.

Islay and Stornoway- no changes

Oban to Craignure (Mull)- a single vessel service for the whole of the winter timetable, thus retimings and loss of capacity. West Coast Motors will hopefully amend connecting bus times for Tobermory and Iona.

Lochboisdale (South Uist) to Mallaig- 15 to 30 November no service (use Skye to North Uist or divert via Barra and Eriskay), December- very restricted service and diverted to Oban, January to March - to be determined whether any vessel is available- bookings open but traffic may be required to divert via the Isle of Skye or the Isle of Barra

Posted by
7968 posts

Two days on the timetable is revised again.

To further support the economy of Arran (especially the freight traffic) the Lochranza to Claonaig service will continue to operate until 19 December in the middle of the day using the same ferry as Tarbert to Portavadie thus reducing the latter service to morning and evening peaks only.

Thus Arran will have three routes open, weather and other circumstances permitting.

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