CalMac has announced the MV Isle of Arran will not return to serve Arran during the MV Alfred’s annual maintenance period.
MV Isle of Arran, which has been a lifeline for islanders serving the Ardrossan to Brodick route, was deployed to Mull earlier this month to reinstate a two-vessel service there.
CalMac has now announced the vessel will remain in Mull when the MV Alfred is out of action during its annual service, from Monday February 10 until Monday February 17.
During that period, the MV Glen Sannox will be the only ferry in operation between Arran and the mainland, providing three return sailings a day from Troon to Brodick between Monday February 10 and Friday February 14.
With the final sailing of the day from Troon at 3.10pm, the amended weekday timetable will make it difficult for anyone who needs to travel to and from Arran to spend any significant amount of time one either the mainland or Arran in a single day. Additionally, the timetable does not line up with local bus services on Arran or the train connection from Troon to Glasgow.
An extra sailing has been scheduled for Saturday February 15, departing Troon at 7.30pm and arriving into Brodick at 8.45pm. However, the vessel will remain in Brodick overnight and will not sail to Troon again until 10.30am on Sunday February 16.
A CalMac spokesperson said: “We recognise that this means a significant reduction in frequency of service for a week, but the alternative options would mean service cancellations and capacity issues on other routes”.
There is already limited availability on many of the sailings that week for those looking to travel by car, and one out of the three sailings on Friday February 14 is fully booked.
The reduced ferry service falls just before the start of the mid-term holidays in mainland Scotland and England, which commence on Monday February 17, and could deter visitors and tourists from travelling to Arran.
The Isle of Arran Ferry Committee has stated it strongly rejected CalMac’s proposal for the MV Isle of Arran to remain in Mull.
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