Sunday Afternoon Well Spent


After more than three years on charter to CalMac, Pentland Ferries’ catamaran ferry Alfred has become a familiar site at Brodick Pier

As it seems likely that the charter of Pentland Ferries’ Alfred must come to an end in the near future as ships like Glen Rosa and Loch Indaal join the fleet, a Club member had suggested we should mark Alfred’s imminent departure from the fleet by organising a nominated excursion involving her, as Cruising Manager Graeme Hogg describes.

When Transport Scotland arranged for CalMac to charter Alfred from Pentland Ferries in April 2023, it was for a period of nine months to provide additional capacity to cover for late deliveries of new tonnage and over-running overhauls of members of the increasingly elderly fleet. After a series of extensions, the ship has been on charter now for over three years and she has proved invaluable in maintaining services during the many, and much publicised, difficulties CalMac has faced.

The ship visited many of the ports and piers in the CalMac network to assess where she might be usefully be deployed. As a catamaran, her great beam, together with her offset stern ramp, pose problems berthing at many of these places. Consequently, Alfred has spent much of her time serving Arran, initially from Ardrossan but, after the Irish berth there was condemned, from Troon.

With it seeming likely that her charter must soon come to an end, a nominated excursion involving her was proposed. The initial idea would have been to cross from Ardrossan on Caledonian Isles’ 09.45 sailing in the morning, take a return trip aboard Alfred to Troon and finally return to Ardrossan in the evening on Caledonian Isles. The temporary suspension of sailings from Ardrossan to allow repairs to be carried out to the berth presented a simpler option and so the excursion was arranged for Sunday 20 September, whereby we would sail from Troon on Caledonian Isles’ 12.40 sailing, spend an hour or more in Brodick, and return aboard Alfred’s 16.00 sailing.

Making group bookings with CalMac is no longer feasible so, having announced the excursion, it was impossible to tell how well supported it was going to be. To add to the uncertainty, weather conditions prior to Sunday had led to significant disruption to the Arran service, including the cancellation of Caledonian Isles’ early sailing from Troon on the Sunday morning, as she had berthed overnight in Brodick for safety. And so it was with a degree of trepidation that we arrived at Troon for the outward crossing. All was well. While there was a breeze, it was fairly light, with bright and dry overhead conditions and Caledonian Isles had berthed safely on her inward sailing and was ready to load.

Caledonian Isles berthed safely at her temporary home at Troon and ready to load

Without a suitable gangway available for Caledonian Isles, passengers boarded via the stern ramp at Troon

There were a number of familiar faces milling around in the terminal building and taking photographs on the quayside. We were invited to board over the linkspan as there doesn’t appear to be a suitable gangway available at Troon for Caledonian Isles. There was a good load of cars, and a hay lorry, to be loaded, so passenger embarkation came in waves between the vehicular traffic. Towards sailing time it was apparent that our group numbered in the low teens, but the usual conversations and catching up were underway in various parts of the ship.

Caledonian Isles departed on time and we enjoyed a calm crossing in good, early autumn weather to Brodick, and many took advantage of the catering facilities on board and enjoyed some lunch. On arrival at Brodick we were able to disembark by more conventional means over the long passenger walkway. We had arranged to have a group photograph taken on the old linkspan approach, which is now laid out as a picnic area. The group then started to disperse to enjoy time in Brodick, although some waited on to observe Caledonian Isles departing. Brodick is looking better cared for and busier than many places around the Clyde coast and it was pleasing to note the absence of empty shops, although one of the big hotels remains shuttered.

Members who took part in the Nominated Excursion included (left to right) Alistair Black, Angus MacRae, Graeme Hogg (cruise organiser), Andrew Anderson, James Fisher, Neil Guthrie, Hamish Bowie, Walter Bowie, Susan Forrest, Ian Ferguson, Nicol Crae, John Crae and James Hamilton

With the new 30 minute check in time in operation, we were back at the terminal for 15.30. Rather than congregate in the terminal building , we were directed to queue outside for boarding Alfred. Fortunately, the light showers we had experienced when we arrived earlier had passed, so the wait to board was fairly pleasant. Having had tickets checked, we were boarded over the stern ramp before the vehicles. The writer had never sailed on Alfred before and it was fascinating to watch the Pentland Ferries crew load the ship almost to capacity, including a large sheep float and the returning empty hay lorry. The lorries, two delivery vans and another half dozen cars were asked to reverse aboard, but all other vehicles were able to drive straight aboard and be turned on the car deck such that they would be able to drive straight off at Troon. Given the large loading, we left a few minutes late but were soon making steady progress towards Troon with little movement from the swell.

Passengers boarding Alfred at Brodick before vehicles were embarked

Those familiar with the ship will know her accommodation is functional but comfortable, and the forward lounge on the top deck is quiet and offers good views across the car deck astern. It is unfortunate that the charter terms exclude the operation of the full catering facilities on board. Refreshments are restricted to vending machines, which is not ideal for a crossing of one hour twenty minutes. Having said that, little use seemed to be made of them on the crossing.

The last few vehicles board Alfred for the 16.00 sailing from Brodick

Homeward bound as Alfred leaves Arran astern in her wake

Passing Caledonian Isles on our approach to Troon after an enjoyable, well spent Sunday afternoon

After more friendly chats among our group on deck and in the lounges on the way across, we arrived back in Troon on time at 17.20 and were first to disembark along with the other passengers. After numerous farewells in the car park as we mastered the parking ticket machines, we went our separate ways after a most enjoyable afternoon to Arran.

Graeme Hogg is CRSC’s Interim Cruising Manager, and would be delighted to hear from you if you have an idea for a future Nominated Excursion. Suggestions are always welcome, and may be submitted by email to CRSC via the Contact link at the bottom of the page.

If you have not already joined the Club, then why not take advantage of our introductory offer and join CRSC for just £15 (usual rate £35). New members receive a welcome pack which includes the current syllabus of meetings and the latest editions of our two publications — the magazine CLYDE STEAMERS and the REVIEW. In addition to receiving these free each year, members can take advantage of discounted prices for our organised cruises and benefit from special rates for shop items. Joining CRSC will bring you in contact with like-minded steamer and ferry enthusiasts, especially at our popular meetings and excursions.

Published on 24 September 2026