Following the completion of the MV Corran’s annual refit and her successful sea trials, the vessel returned to service yesterday (Wednesday 11 March) at 18:00hrs.
The MV Corran will resume her usual seven day‑a‑week timetable. For live updates and full timetable details, please visit the website. (external link).
Unfortunately, due to high winds forecast today (Thursday 12 March), disruptions or cancellations to service are possible at short notice. Real‑time updates can be found on X (Twitter) via @CorranFerry and on Facebook.
The Highland Council looks forward to welcoming vehicles and passengers back on board and thanks the community for their patience during the refit period.
Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “We know how critical the Corran Ferry service is to residents, businesses and visitors, so we are very pleased to see the MV Corran safely back in operation.
“The extended duration of the refit was due to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts delays, which extended the repair programme by one month. We fully appreciate the disruption caused and regret the reduced service level when the relief vessel is in service, particularly for commercial vehicles, and the wider impact on the community.
“Ensuring a reliable and safe service for the Corran Narrows remains a priority and with the landside infrastructure work having just begun, over the next 18 months we will see significant developments to help us reach our goal of a new electric ferry service in the coming years.
“Our ferry crew has been exceptional throughout a challenging period, working tirelessly to bring the MV Corran home and ready for service. I would like to thank them for their hard work, commitment and continued dedication to the communities they serve.”
During the MV Corran’s refit, the relief vessel the Maid of Glencoul now 51 years old, operated daily, with only 6 days out of 126 days of outage, which crew and specialist marine engineers worked quickly to resolve.
This year’s MV Corran annual refit took three months, extended by one month due to the OEM parts lead time. While these timeframes are consistent with industry norms for this type/age of vessel, the Council continues to seek ways to reduce downtime and streamline overhaul periods wherever possible.
In recent years, the vessels have seen an intensive period of investment, coinciding with major equipment reaching scheduled service intervals. With these significant milestones now passed, MV Corran refits over the next three years are expected to be less demanding. This will allow the Council to review future maintenance schedules to maximise efficiency and ensure continued resilience for the communities that rely on the service.
With construction now under way on the £30m Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme (CFIIS) landside project, the next 18 months will deliver major upgrades on both shores of the Narrows. This includes a new slipway and overnight berthing pier at Ardgour, alongside a new slipway, breakwater, marshalling area, parking, cycle path and enhanced public facilities at Nether Lochaber, north of the Corran settlement.
These improvements lay the groundwork for the forthcoming £28m investment in a new electric vessel, ensuring a modern, reliable and sustainable service for the communities who depend on the route. Funded through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal (IHCRD), this £58m transport/ferry investment marks a pivotal time for one of the busiest single-vessel routes in Scotland.
Read more about how construction has begun on transformational Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme here (external link).