 CROSSINGS |
 Main
Crossings
Ardrossan - Brodick |
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Ardrossan - Brodick |
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Crossing Time: 55 Minutes |
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Regular Ships: Caledonian
Isles /
Saturn
(Summer Only) |
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ROUTE TIMELINE:
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 Ships to Serve:
1957 - 1969: Glen
Sannox
1970: Glen
Sannox / Caledonia
1971 - 1975: Caledonia
1976 - 1983: Clansman
/ Caledonia
1984 - 1992:
Isle
of Arran
1993: Isle
of Arran / Caledonian
Isles
1994 - 2003: Caledonian
Isles
2004 - Present: Caledonian
Isles /
Saturn
(Summer Only)
Additional Ships:
Iona
/ Pioneer
/ Claymore
/ Jupiter
/ Clansman
(Additional runs or relief duties) |
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Terminal Facilities:
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Ardrossan: Single linkspan set into the former entrance to
a now filled-in dock, large vehicle waiting area and modern terminal
building located close to the ferry berth. Large car park located next to
queuing area, developed out along the breakwater. Direct passenger walkway
from the ferry terminal building to the railway station platform a few
yards away. Brodick:
Terminal building located next to passenger boarding area and at the end
of the vehicle lanes. Linkspan and passenger gangways are accessed via
causeways due to water depth nearer the shore. Public transport facilities
are also located close by, with Arran tour buses drawing up next to the
queuing area.
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Route History:
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It was 1957 that the Arran crossing became a modern car ferry service,
upon the introduction of the now much-missed GLEN SANNOX. Initially
Arran was served in the summer from Ardrossan and in winter from the more
sheltered pier at Fairlie a few miles up the Ayrshire coast. Hoist loading
was the order of the day for the first 13 years of car ferry operation, as
neither terminal had a linkspan.
The GLEN SANNOX was a fast vessel, achieving around 18 knots
when she entered service. Because of this and her substantial passenger
complement (1100) she became a popular ferry with islanders and tourists
over the years. However, over the years she did encounter one main
problem; her hoist - or rather the limitations it imposed. Being
hydraulically operated it became slower moving and at low tides especially
this led to substantial delays, often for tourists returning to the
mainland at the end of a weekend.
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It was in 1969 that a replacement vessel of drive through capabilities was
purchased. The new ferry was formerly known as the STENA BALTICA
and after some months undergoing safety modifications, she took over
the Ardrossan - Brodick crossing at the end of May 1970 as the CALEDONIA,
reviving a name that had only been taken out of use the previous season.
Equipped with a visor, bow and stern ramps, the CALEDONIA could
complete the crossing in just under an hour and required much less in the
way of turnround time compared to her predecessor. She did have one fairly
major drawback in that her vehicle capacity was only for about 40 cars and
650 passengers during the summer (less than 150 in winter). Before too
long it was clear that another solution was required.
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Isle of Arran approaching Brodick
in August 1987
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From the summer of 1976, Arran was served by the converted ferry CLANSMAN
which could carry significantly more cars than the smaller CALEDONIA,
although the latter would resume the route during the winter seasons until
that of 1983/84. The CLANSMAN remained on the Clyde's longest
crossing until the end of 1983 when a new, purpose-built ships was
launched for impending entry into service.
The ISLE OF ARRAN maintained the main Arran crossing for nine
years and set a new level of passenger comfort when she entered service -
something which was repeatedly improved upon with subsequent
launches.
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Caledonian Isles turning out of
Ardrossan in late 2003
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ISLE OF ARRAN, like her two recent predecessors, used her bow
visor and ramp at Ardrossan (or Gourock in inclement weather) and her
stern at Brodick to load up to 76 cars on each sailling. But even with
this level of capacity for cars, traffic levels still continued to
increase and the ISLE OF ARRAN fell victim to her own success and
so in 1993 she was cast aside in favour of the brand new CALEDONIAN
ISLES - by far the grandest ship to serve Arran in terms of facilities
on board. The new arrival incorporated an intermediate level car deck to
increase her capacity to 110 and her passenger accommodation was suitable
for almost 1000 - only 100 short of the old GLEN SANNOX complement. |
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After
ten years on the crossing, the CALEDONIAN ISLES has, like her
predecessors, seen traffic levels rise during her employment there. Whilst
this is likely to continue in the future, it is also likely that the CALEDONIAN
ISLES (relieved by the 1998-built CLANSMAN during overhaul)
will remain on the route for the foreseeable future. In the last few
months the regular ferry has seen support during the high summer season in
the form of the smaller Streaker;
SATURN
which was deployed as the secondary vessel for 2005. This was made
possible by the arrival of the new generation of Bute ferry in mid-July.
Saturn was upgraded to Class III standard for this new duty and although it
was an experiment at first, it has already been announced that she will
return for the 2006 height of season. |
Saturn approaching Brodick in summer 2005 |
 Images from Ships of CalMac
Collection |
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 SoC Useful Links:
To see a more detailed description of the islands and photos, visit
Undiscovered Scotland and click on a place.
To view current cruises and ferry times and crossings in the Clyde area,
visit
Clyde Guide. |
SoC
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