Scottish Government in ‘advanced’ talks to buy Ardrossan Harbour, says Swinney

Discussions are at a “well advanced stage” for the Scottish Government to purchase Ardrossan Harbour, the First Minister has said.

The harbour is owned by private operator Peel Ports, but the Government is seeking to nationalise it, with reports suggesting a price had been agreed in October in the hopes of a deal being done before the end of the year.

The current facility is not suitable to dock two new ferries on the route between the mainland and the Isle of Arran, with ministers looking to upgrade it once under public ownership.

The Glen Sannox has been in service since last January, while the Glen Rosa could be delayed from entering service until early 2027 after further delays pushed its delivery date to late this year.

With the harbour at Ardrossan too small for the larger vessels, the Glen Sannox has been running from Troon, further down the Ayrshire coast.

The MV Caledonian Isles was out of action for more than 18 months, meaning there were regularly no ferries between Ardrossan and Arran, angering people on both sides of the water.

Speaking to the Press Association, John Swinney said: “It’s a very complex process, but I keep a very close eye on the acquisition of Ardrossan Harbour, and it’s necessary because of the Government’s long-term commitment to the delivery of ferry services for Arran from Ardrossan.”

He added: “It’s well advanced. It’s a complex negotiation and a complex agreement and I would say it’s at a well advanced stage.”

Asked if the deal would be sealed by the end of 2026, the First Minister said it would.

His comments come after the latest delay to one of the ferries due to run the route between Arran and the mainland, with Government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine announcing last month that the Glen Rosa’s delivery date would be pushed back from the second quarter of this year to the fourth.

After trials required by CalMac and crew familiarisation exercises, the vessel may not be in service until 2027.

The Glen Rosa and the Glen Sannox have been massively delayed – having been due to enter service by 2018 – and went over budget, costing an estimated £460 million despite a £97 million contract price.

The further delays to the Glen Rosa will increase costs, but the First Minister said there was no “blank cheque” for Ferguson Marine to complete it.

“We’ve got to get this vessel completed, because the network requires it and we’re seeing the benefits of the service of the Glen Sannox,” he said.

The First Minister added: “The Glen Rosa should have been completed much earlier and it’s a source of great frustration that’s not the case.

“But the vessel is required and we will have to complete the vessel to make sure the ferry network is strengthened as a consequence.”