A page was turned in Scotland’s ferry saga as the MV Glen Sannox finally entered service on Monday, January 13.
At Ayrshire Live, we decided to find out what CalMac’s newest ferry was like as she made her maiden voyage from Troon to Brodick.
Most people are in their beds at 5am on a Monday morning but I was up and on my way to Troon to make it on time for the 6.30am sailing.
After parking at Troon Harbour (£5 for 24 hours) – following the signs and not the satnav – I made my way to the modest passenger terminal to check in.
The MV Glen Sannox welcomes you as you walk up to the waiting room and ticket office which has a vending machine for snacks and drinks including tea and coffee as well as adequate seating.
We were then quickly and smoothly welcomed out to board the Glen Sannox. Still dark on an early January morning, the Glen Sannox is basked in the lights of the port – an impressive sight as one of the biggest ferries in CalMac’s network.
Walking up the gangway as one of 104 foot passengers for the maiden voyage, we were treated to the small entranceway to the vessel. It is designed to carry 852 passengers but, with space for 127 cars and 16 heavy goods vehicles, a lot of passengers will not be boarding that way.
The first impressions were positive. It has a warm, modern feel and is clean and tidy – as you would expect from a brand new ferry.
Weather forecasts hadn’t been the most favourable and all sailings of the MV Alfred were off for the day as it can’t sail if the wind gets up. The Glen Sannox can cope with stronger gusts but it was still left until the day of the sailing before a final decision was made.
With the winds easing, the Glen Sannox was given the green light for its maiden voyage and – slightly late at 6.51am – we set sail for Brodick.
I have been to Arran a few times on school holidays and with friends but the facilities on board the Glen Sannox are a step up from the previous ferries.
The passenger lounges contain plenty of seats – each with its own USB port for charging devices while on board.
TVs showing BBC and STV are dotted around and views of the sea are abundant in the lounges (during daylight hours anyway).
My first stop was the cafe. I’ve been recommended the CalMac breakfast before and was looking forward to trying it for myself.
A full Scottish of six or eight items plus a selection of breakfast rolls, bagels and cereals are available.
Sandwiches, cold drinks including alcohol and tea and coffee are all on the menu and, later in the day, cooked lunches and dinners are available.
It is good quality stuff, if slightly on the expensive side but good value for money when you consider it against the food available on other methods of travel.
The crew are all extremely helpful and cleared my table within minutes of finishing – even though racks are provided to place trays with plates and cups.
Recycling facilities are included so plastic bottles and cans can be reused.
Pets are allowed in the designated pet area or outside on the upper deck and the ferry includes a dedicated kids zone to keep younger passengers occupied.
The across the Firth of Clyde was a bit rough but that was to be expected given other ferries would not have been able to cope with the conditions. That adds to the reliability of the network if the ferry can be used in choppier seas even if it is not the best passenger experience.
A bar is available on board as well as a CalMac shop which contains a selection of goodies from places located across the ferry network including treats from Arran.
CalMac merch is also available including the CalMac Lion and construction brick ferries.
The seating is comfortable inside and convenient – particularly if you’re in need of some extra juice for your phone’s battery.
From the right seat, you can watch your destination slowly turn from a spec on the horizon – a mystical sight in the early hours as the lights of Brodick pop up around half way across.
If you want to brave it outside on the upper decks, I would strongly advise that you wrap up warm – even in the summer – as it can get quite breezy while taking in the sea air.
Overall, it is an enjoyable experience and a pleasant atmosphere. The only hitch on the maiden voyage was the weather which made the crossing a bit rough.
It might have taken longer than expected but passengers on Arran and the mainland can now enjoy a new, modern ferry for the lifeline service.
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