Glen Sannox took a break from the Arran service in mid October to visit Kennacraig and the two Islay ports for berthing trials. She is pictured on 12 October at Port Askaig, after which she moved to Port Ellen for the night
The latest edition of Scottish Ferry News covers eight action-packed weeks from the beginning of September to the end of October.
Scottish Ferry News is available here. Like previous editions, it is available only to paid-up CRSC members.
If you wish to read this authoritative update on Clyde and West Highland ferry movements, and have not yet joined CRSC (introductory membership for the first year with full benefits: £15), click here.
If you are already a member but have not yet renewed your subscription for 2025-26, please do so now by clicking here.
Scottish Ferry News is an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and professionals who wish to track where vessels have been, what overhauls took place and which routes were affected by weather disruptions and vessel substitutions.
We are grateful to John Newth, compiler of Scottish Ferry News, for this comprehensive survey of ship movements at a time when the Clyde and West Highland fleets seem to be in a greater state of flux than for many years — mainly due to breakdowns, overhauls and the lack of spare tonnage.
The headline item in the September-October edition is Caledonian Isles’ resumption of service on 1 October after 21 months of repairs — a ‘return from the dead’ for a much loved and extremely useful ferry, whose future had been written off by many. Speculation now surrounds the question of which other route(s) in the CalMac network she might be called upon to operate after the next round of musical chairs. In the meantime, Arranites (and not a few ship enthusiasts) have simply been glad to see her back at Ardrossan and Brodick.
Glen Sannox spent the night of 12 October at Port Ellen, before returning to Troon the next day
The other standout event was the first visit by Glen Sannox to the Inner Hebrides: she undertook berthing trials at Kennacraig (11 October), Port Askaig and Port Ellen (12th), before returning to Troon on the 13th to resume service on the Arran run.
We also document the charter of Arrow from DFDS for the Stornoway-Ullapool freight service, starting on 19 October. Shorter-term charters included Bigger Dipper and Larven (from Western Isles Cruises) for the Small Isles service and Dun I (from Staffa Tours) for passenger-only operation between Tobermory and Kilchoan, while Miss Marley (from Milligan Transport) attended to the carriage of vehicles.
Vessels heading for overhaul during this period included Hallaig, Isle of Arran, Loch Buie, Loch Dunvegan and Loch Seaforth. Loch Shira had an unusual absence from service on 10 September, when she assisted a Coastguard search off Wee Cumbrae for a sinking fishing vessel, along with one of the Fast Rescue Craft from Glen Sannox, which happened to be out on trials at the time. ‘Shira’ was able to resume service at Largs-Cumbrae Slip after two-and-a-half hours.
The most poignant event of these two months came on 27 October, when Hebridean Isles took leave of Scottish waters under tow for the shipbreakers in Esbjerg, Denmark.
Farewell old friend. Seen on her final voyage, Hebridean Isles passed Greenock under tow on Monday 27 October
Have you joined CRSC? If not, you’re missing out: we are a group of ship enthusiasts with an active programme of excursions, talks, publications, online presentations and much else. Sign up here and take advantage of all the benefits.
Published on 1 December 2025