Ardrossan Harbour © Peel Ports

Scottish government to nationalise Ardrossan Harbour and carry out major upgrading programme to be able to dock new CalMac ferries

PortOne of Scotland’s major ferry ports for lifeline services to the isle of Arran, Ardrossan, is to be acquired by the Scottish government, nationalised and then undergo a major facilities upgrade to accommodate ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac) latest two new ferries, GLEN SANNOX and GLEN ROSA.

Reports from Scotland suggest a price for Ardrossan Harbour was agreed in October last year and is hoped that the take over deal will be completed before the end of 2026. The route Ardrossan to Brodick is the fastest and most efficient route from the Scottish mainland to the isle of Arran.

Ardrossan Harbour’s current CalMac ferry berth is too small to handle GLEN SANNOX and her sister GLEN ROSA, which is expected in service in the early part of 2027. GLEN SANNOX entered service in January 2025 and currently maintains the Arran service, running out of Troon to Brodick, supported by the chartered catamaran ferry ALFRED.

Once under public ownership, the Scottish government will spend the money to upgrade the Scottish west coast port to enable the two new ferries to berth safely.

jan 09 2026