Save Ardrossan Harbour

31/10/2026

Happy Halloween from all of us at Save Ardrossan Harbour!

26/10/2026

Storm Boelo hit the Ayrshire coast hard in the early hours of Sunday morning and Ardrossan Harbour took a bit of a beating, just like the rest of the coastal towns.

There was some damage to various parts of the harbour including the linkspan as can be seen in the attached photos from yesterday. The linkspan has been put right again this morning so the port is once again operational.

Weather continues to cause issue on the west coast for ferry services and while the Ardrossan Harbour Redevelopment event to be held on Arran tomorrow has been cancelled by CMAL, please note that the one to be held in Ardrossan on Wednesday remains in place. Please come along and show your support for our harbour and have some input. This is a drop in event so no need to be there at 4pm or stay for the full duration.

🗓️Wednesday 28th October 2026 4pm - 7pm
📍Ardrossan Civic Centre

09/10/2026

As you will have seen, Caledonian Isles resumed services from Ardrossan today following a month of works at Ardrossan. We have received this correspondence from the Ardrossan Redevelopment Team and while it has been shared by other organisations, we are placing it here also for our followers. Please also see some photos taken during the works and the new push button activated doors to the terminal building.

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Good afternoon

We are pleased to let you know that the port of Ardrossan has been handed back to CalMac for the resumption of ferry services to Arran following a successful period of works.

During this period, CMAL-appointed contractor, George Leslie Limited, has installed 11 new berthing fenders, helping ensure the resilience of the berth into the future. Based on a suggestion from CalMac, CMAL are considering adding one further fender at the east end of the Winton Pier. If required, the installation will be planned with CalMac to avoid disruption to the ferry service. Additionally, CMAL now have a number of spare fenders held in stock, on-site.

Temporary inspection and work platforms remain in-place on the Arran Berth linkspan dolphins and over the coming weeks these will be replaced with more permanent structures. These facilitate safer access to the machinery of the linkspan and the temporary platforms have allowed a range of important work to mechanical and electrical systems to proceed.

A number of steelwork elements between the linkspan and the shore have been replaced and stone steps in the harbour have been refaced with metal grip surfaces.

The lifting frame of the passenger access system has been repaired and repainted.

Passenger access doors to the terminal building, both at the main entrance and the ferry embarkation doors, have been replaced with automatic doors, improving access for all passengers. In addition, various minor repairs and improvements have been completed within the building. The terminal building roof and exterior have been cleaned and road markings have been repainted.

This work has been undertaken in close collaboration with CalMac and we are grateful for the patience of members of the public while these important, port life-extending activities have been undertaken.

These works are part of the ongoing repair and maintenance intended to allow the port to continue operation while our plans for the longer-term redevelopment of the port are developed and we will be inviting public input to those plans as they take shape.

Our first public engagement events for the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour will take place in Brodick on 27 October and in Ardrossan on 28 October 2026. Further details are available here.

Details of CalMac’s services can be found on its Service Status page: https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/service-status/ #/service-status/003/sailings

Best regards,

The Ardrossan Harbour Redevelopment Project Team

08/10/2026

Caledonian Isles has returned to Ardrossan this evening following the month long harbour maintenance works.

06/10/2026

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Message from: The Ardrossan Harbour Redevelopment Project Team

"Members of the public are invited to attend two drop-in engagement events about the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour.

The events will take place as follows:

Ardrossan
Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 4–7pm
Ardrossan Civic Hall
150 Glasgow Street
Ardrossan
KA22 8EU

Brodick
Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 4–7pm
Ormidale Pavilion
Main Street
Brodick
KA27 8DL

The events will provide an opportunity to learn more about the redevelopment process, how harbour requirements will be developed, and how members of the public can contribute their views as the proposals progress.

As we review and develop the proposals for the harbour, we want to hear from the communities and harbour users who rely on it. Feedback gathered through the events will help inform the developing design and our consideration of the project requirements.

Representatives from CMAL, CalMac, Transport Scotland, and the project’s design team will be available to discuss the project, listen to feedback, and answer questions. Topics will include the approach to developing the harbour’s marine design, the terminal building, the site layout and key features and making the facilities accessible by design.

The events are open to everyone, and there is no need to book. Attendees can drop in at any time between 4pm and 7pm.

Further information is available at cmal.scot/Ardrossan"

Please share this information with your friends, family, groups, and the wider community.

25/08/2026

We would like to recognise that today, 25th August 2026, marks the 33rd anniversary of Caledonian Isles' maiden voyage on the Ardrossan to Brodick service in 1993.

She has spent a total of 33 years operating from Ardrossan to Arran and served no other island in the CalMac network in all of her operating career. No other vessel has amassed such a statistic of sole dedication to one island. Her longstanding presence within Ardrossan (the place she has spent the majority of her existence) has made her instantly recognisable. She has become part of the fabric of the town and port of Ardrossan.

While she currently get some work carried out on her port main engine, her service should be congratulated and her hard working crews thanked, especially after recent unprecedented events on the Ardrossan to Brodick route.

The attached photo* is of Caledonian Isles in Ardrossan when she was brand new in 1993. She is seen berthed on the north side of montgomerie pier, a place that is now silted up and almost drying height at low water. A sign of how restrictive the port has become with little dredging activities.

*Photo copyright of David Stirling. Please do not reproduce without copyright holder permission.

22/08/2026

We were aware of the two serious incidents affecting Caledonian Isles last night as she approached Ardrossan after 5 o'clock. We would like to commend all those involved in the rescue of the casualty, especially the crew onboard MV Caledonian Isles and the observant passenger whose collective swift actions brought everything to a safe conclusion.

This was an unprecedented situation, potentially the first in the companies history where these two events have happened simultaneously. Well done to all!

Last night, crew aboard MV Caledonian Isles responded to two serious incidents at the same time when a person fell overboard as the vessel approached Ardrossan and a credible security threat was also made.

Thanks to the swift actions of the crew, who launched the vessel's Fast Rescue Craft within minutes, the casualty was safely recovered from the water. At the same time, the threat was received and crew immediately began following security procedures in line with their training and the vessel's security plan.

Our CEO, Duncan Mackison, praised the crew's professionalism, saying:
"A life was saved under very difficult circumstances where, in effect, two major incidents were being managed at the same time. The crew's actions were outstanding and reflect the highest standards of professionalism, training and dedication to keeping our passengers safe."

We'd also like to thank an unknown passenger who helped maintain visual contact with the person in the water and assisted with deploying life-saving equipment. Your actions made a real difference.

A huge well done to everyone involved for their calm, professional and effective response under pressure. 👏🚢💙

14/08/2026

We have today been sent this update from CMAL regarding a temporary closure of Ardrossan Harbour to ferry traffic for the purpose of upgrading the fenders along both Jerry's Pier and Winton Pier. Works on the Linkspan and Gangway will also be carried out during this period between 7th September and 8th October. Please see the correspondence below.

"Good Afternoon,

"We wanted to let you know that the Arran Berth at Ardrossan Harbour will be temporarily closed from 7 September to 8 October 2026 while essential works are carried out to replace and upgrade fenders on the berth.

"The works will see new fenders installed on the Arran Berth and Winton Pier faces, which are used by vessels operating on the Ardrossan to Brodick route. Agreed by CMAL and CalMac, these improvements are designed to help improve the resilience of the port ahead of the winter period and are among the short-term measures previously communicated to stakeholders to support the continued operation of Ardrossan while longer-term plans for the harbour continue to be developed.

"To allow the works to be completed safely and efficiently, the berths will need to be taken out of operational service for approximately four and a half weeks. During this time, services to Brodick will operate from Troon only. These fender replacement works have been prioritised to minimise the duration of the closure, and the berth will reopen as soon as possible once work is complete.

"We will also take this opportunity to perform maintenance and repairs on the linkspan, passenger access system, and terminal building during the same closure period.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding of passengers and local communities while these essential works are carried out.

"Information on ferry services during the berth closure will be provided separately by CalMac. You can always check the latest travel information on CalMac’s Service Status page.

"For more information on the wider Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment project, visit our Ardrossan Harbour Redevelopment FAQs. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

"Best regards,
The Ardrossan Redevelopment Project Team"

27/06/2026

Save Ardrossan Harbour is pleased to share that today, Saturday 27th June 2026, our Chair is being recognised in the Scottish Parliament as one of Scotland's Local Heros!

Pictured centre below, Frances Gilmour was the person who brought Save Ardrossan Harbour together in 2024 and has led us through the campaign to Save Ardrossan Harbour after concerns that a permanent move to Troon was becoming increasingly likely and feared. Without her leadership, Save Ardrossan Harbour and Ardrossan Harbour may not be where they are today.

Below is a section of the invitation received from the Scottish Parliament.

"Dear Frances Gilmour,

"The Presiding Officer, Kenneth Gibson MSP passes on his congratulations on your Local Hero nomination from Cara McKee MSP and officially invites you and a guest to the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 27 June 2026. This invitation is made in recognition of your significant contribution to the lives of others within your community.

"The day will include a ceremonial event in the Debating Chamber to mark the opening of the new session of Parliament. During this event, His Majesty The King will address the Chamber along with remarks from the Presiding Officer and the First Minister, Rt Hon John Swinney MSP. The event also includes a series of performances celebrating Scotland and our rich culture and heritage.

"Following the Chamber event, the Presiding Officer will host a reception for Their Majesties The King and Queen, providing an opportunity to meet you and the other Local Heroes and acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. The day will conclude with a lunch reception attended by Members of the Scottish Parliament their families."

Thank You Frances! From everyone at Save Ardrossan Harbour, we hope you have an amazing day at Parliament. You deserve it!

15/06/2026

Ardrossan Harbour Dive Works

The latest notice to Mariners for Ardrossan Harbour has been made available on the CMAL Website.

We are again encouraged by the positive and proactive approach CMAL is taking towards our Harbour.

Please see the Notice quoted below:

"Ardrossan Harbour Dive Works

"Mariners are advised that works to pier ladders will be carried out by divers from the shore along both the Arran, Winton and Irish Berths in Ardrossan Harbour starting on Monday 15th June. Works are expected to take 1 week.

"The works will take from a man basket and a crane. Port staff and the dive contractor will monitor VHF channels 12 and 16.

"A small safety boat will also be in operation to support the divers.

"The works will be completed between sailings of the scheduled ferry services to avoid any disruption.

"Mariners navigating in the vicinity of Arran, Winton or Irish Berth during this time are requested to do so with caution and regulate their speed to minimise the effects of wash.

"Unless otherwise promulgated, if the NTM is still marked as ‘Active’ it is still in force.

"Further details can be obtained using the contact details below.

Issued on behalf of the Harbour Master

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited"