CalMac ferry MV Isle of Arran returns to service after five-week repairs

A CalMac ferry has returned to service five weeks after being pulled out of service for repairs.

The MV Isle of Arran, which serves the Ardrossan to Campbeltown route during the summer months, was taken out of service in March due to issues with its fire suppression system.

Following the installation of new couplings on her bow thruster, the vessel is due to operate the Oban to Craignure route.

The return of MV Isle of Arran will allow MV Coruisk, which has been covering this route, to return to the Mallaig to Armadale service.

A CalMac spokeswoman said: “MV Isle of Arran’s return benefits two routes, as it allows us to increase capacity on Mull and get MV Coruisk back to Mallaig-Armadale.”

Glasgow & West

‘We feel forgotten about’: How ferry disruption is impacting island life

Virtually every Scottish island has been cut off in recent weeks as state-owned operator CalMac warns of further disruption.

The return of MV Isle of Arran follows a tumultuous time for CalMac, after the ferry operator faced an “unprecedented level of challenges” during March.

Seven ferries were pulled from routes over a variety of issues, with CalMac admitting disruption had impacted “virtually every island” served by a major vessel.