A lifeline ferry has returned to service after a breakdown in her main engine piled fresh pressure on the network .
The MV Caledonian Isles will resume carrying passengers and vehicles on the Ardrossan–Brodick route to Arran today, after successful repairs were carried out to her main engine on Thursday.
The ferry underwent sea trials on Thursday night and has now been given a clean bill of health to resume sailings.
Her return eases some presure, but the Glen Sannox, which briefly resumed serving Arran on Thursday after breaking down earlier in the day , has once again been withdrawn.
All sailings on this vessel were cancelled on Friday due to a problem with the ship's engine, with an update due on Saturday.
❌RED #Troon #Brodick 27Mar Due to the reoccurring issue with MV Glen Sannox Port Main engine, all sailings are cancelled. There will be a review at approximately 17:00 regarding sailings on Saturday 28 March.
— CalMac Service Info (@CalMac_Updates) March 27, 2026
✅GREEN #Ardrossan #Brodick 27Mar MV Caledonian Isles' trials were successful and service will resume Friday 27 March.
— CalMac Service Info (@CalMac_Updates) March 27, 2026
CalMac CEO Duncan Mackison has apologised for the disruption, saying: “We’re working hard to restore services and get vessels back into action as quickly as we can. Staff have been working hard to restore services.”
On Thursday, he added: “We recognise Arran’s service has been heavily disrupted, but I am pleased we may see the island’s two-vessel service reinstated from tomorrow (Friday).”
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CalMac is currently grappling with an “unprecedented” loss of vessels. The faults on board the Caledonian Isles and the Glen Sannox meant seven vessels were out of action at the same time.
Both ships joined the MV Loch Frisa, MV Alfred and MV Hebrides on the sidelines, with each currently undergoing their legally required annual overhauls.
Meanwhile, the MV Isle of Lewis is also out of service until the end of May as it undergoes an extended overhaul due to steel renewal work.
The newly built Isle of Islay, which will serve the island she is named after, has also not yet entered service. She is due to begin carrying passengers on Monday.
The problems across the network led CalMac to shake up the summer timetable last week, with remaining vessels moved around and some crossings reduced in frequency.
Mr Mackison said: “MV Isle of Islay will not be able to enter service until at least Monday to allow the crew to work through outstanding issues, and they’ll have the full support of the wider business over the weekend to do so.
“The single‑vessel service can accommodate booking volumes on Saturday and Sunday, and in cancelling Friday’s two‑vessel service early, we’ve done what we can to give affected customers the chance to make alternative travel plans.”
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