Ferries won't be able to use newly-nationalised harbour until 2029

Facilities at Ardrossan Harbour are not equipped to allow the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa – which is due to be delivered later this year – to dock there.

The North Ayrshire town is the long-term home of the service between the mainland and the Isle of Arran.

In a bid to improve island service, the Scottish Government recently bought the harbour for £16m, with £6m paid for the facilities and a further £10m paid to take control of the harbour authority.

READ MORE : Ardrossan Harbour now nationalised as sale completes

But the new ferries won’t be able to fully use the harbour until improvements are made.

Since it was delivered, the Glen Sannox has used Troon as its mainland base, with the Glen Rosa expected to do the same when it enters service, compounding issues for islanders who rely on services in Ardrossan.

In a letter to the convener of Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on Wednesday – the final day of the Holyrood term – it was revealed work will not be completed to allow the ships to dock until 2029.

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“An outline business case is expected to be presented later in 2026 when approval is expected to be sought to proceed to procurement on a preferred scheme,” wrote Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

“Work is expected to start in 2027 and take around two years to complete, depending on agreed scope and contract phasing.

“Project costs for the revised scope can only be confirmed when the design work is progressed and a contract has been agreed.”

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Both the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa have been at the centre of a political firestorm since the yard building them – Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow – was rescued from administration by the Government in 2019.

Both vessels have been hugely delayed, with the budget rising to close to £400 million, compared to a £97 million initial price tag.