MV Isle of Arran
On approach to Ardrossan, September 2021 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name |
|
| Owner | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
| Operator | Caledonian MacBrayne |
| Port of registry | Glasgow, United Kingdom |
| Route | Kennacraig-Port Askaig/Port Ellen/Oban-Colonsay |
| Builder | Ferguson Ailsa Ltd, Port Glasgow |
| Yard number | 491 |
| Launched |
|
| Maiden voyage | 13 April 1984 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Vehicle and passenger ferry |
| Tonnage | 3,296 gt |
| Length | 84.92 m (278 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 16.24 m (53 ft 3 in) |
| Draft | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 × Mirrlees Blackstone 8MB275 diesel engines, each developing 2,310 bhp (1,720 kW) |
| Speed | 14 kn (26 km/h) (service) |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 20 |
| Notes | |
MV Isle of Arran (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Arainn) is a drive-through ferry operated on the west coast of Scotland by Caledonian MacBrayne. Also known by her local nicknames IOA and The Auld Trooper, she entered service in 1984 on the Ardrossan to Brodick route, serving Arran for nine years before being moved to Kennacraig. She returned to her original route in 2012, supplementing MV Caledonian Isles in summer and becoming a relief vessel for Arran in winter as well as other routes where required. In 2013, she started a new pilot route from Ardrossan to Campbeltown, which became a permanent fixture in 2015. As of 2023, she is one of the oldest vessels in the fleet, having been in service for 40 years; upon arriving into Oban in the West Highlands, celebrations were mounted ashore to mark the 40th anniversary of her launch and service on 2 December 2023.