A REGULAR ferry service has operated between Ardrossan and Brodick on the Isle of Arran since 1834.

Historically, Ardrossan had ferry services to Belfast and to the Isle of Man. The Belfast run was operated by the Burns and Laird Line and its last scheduled service was in 1976.

The last ship to sail the route was the MV Lion, which was the largest car ferry to operate from Ardrossan.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company operated the Isle of Man run during the summer season.

Its last service was in 1985, although CalMac experimented with a smaller vessel for a couple of seasons, which ran one return service per week.

CalMac has operated the Ardrossan-Brodick route for over 30 years. The current ferry is the MV Caledonian Isles, one of the company’s largest ships.

Launched in May 1993, the Caledonian Isles has the largest passenger capacity in any of CalMac’s fleet, with the capability to carry up to 1,000 people.

The ship goes for her annual overhaul during the winter season and is usually replaced by MV Isle of Arran, MV Clansman or MV Hebrides.

In April this year, the Arran route was the first to trial a new mobility access booking system, testing the new reservations procedure on the MV Caledonian Isles and the MV Isle of Arran.

The trial allows mobility impaired customers to pre-book one of two slots on each sailing to allow them both easy access to the lift area, as well as appropriate increased space around the vehicle. The trial has been warmly welcomed and feedback has been useful in further refining the scheme.

For an up to date timetable of the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry, click here.