Ardrossan to Brodick service diverting from Ardrossan to Troon

Ardrossan - Brodick (Arran) service, sailings diverting to Troon - Brodick (Arran)

The following FAQs provide information for customers who were planning to travel on the Ardrossan - Brodick route, and who are now diverted to/from Troon - Brodick. 

If the service is required to use Troon as an alternative port to Ardrossan, we will let passengers know  through our regular service updates on our website and social media. You can keep in touch via our service status, and on our X (formerly) Twitter page @CalMac_Updates.

Please note: MV Alfred will also operate the published Troon - Brodick service 21 October - 9 February and 18 February - 5 March 2025. View timetable details here.

Customer FAQs

• Changes to service

• Booking information 

• Travelling in a vehicle

• Travelling as a foot passenger 

• Shuttle bus information

• Information for passengers who need assistance

• What to expect at Troon 

Changes to service

How will I know if the Ardrossan-Brodick service is temporarily operating to Troon?

If the service is required to use Troon as an alternative port to Ardrossan, we will let passengers know through our regular service updates on our website and social media. You can keep in touch via our website, particularly the service status pages, and on our X (formerly) Twitter page  @CalMac_Updates. 

If you have an existing booking which is affected by a diversion to/from Troon, our teams will contact you directly.

Why would the Ardrossan-Brodick service need to temporarily operate to/from Troon?  

When advised on our Service Status & Information pages, the Ardrossan-Brodick service, will temporarily operate between Troon-Brodick to protect service reliability. This is because current weather forecasts predict the use of the main berth at Ardrossan will be affected by forecast easterly winds. Before travel always check our service status for the Ardrossan-Brodick route for the latest information.

In addition to any diverted sailings, MV Alfred will continue to operate the published timetable service between Troon-Brodick. View timetable details here.

How does a diversion to/from Troon affect the timetable?  

Passage time between Troon - Brodick is 1 hour and 20 minutes, which is 25 minutes longer than Ardrossan - Brodick. The turnaround time at Troon is 15 minutes longer than at Ardrossan longer due to operational reasons and site logistics. Therefore an amended timetable is required.  

We will publish any amended temporary timetable on our Ardrossan - Brodick service status page.

Booking information 

What will happen to my existing booking on the Ardrossan-Brodick service?  

If you have a booking for travel affected by the diversion to Troon, then we will be in contact with you to provide further information.

We encourage all customers to continue to check our service status page, which will also provide the latest details we have on each individual service.   

Do I need to book before travel?  

Yes. We strongly encourage all those intending to travel on this service, including foot passengers, to make a reservation in advance.  

• Online sales close 2 hours prior to departure time.  

• We cannot guarantee that customers without a booking will be able to travel.   

• During this type of disruption, our booking system will be updated to reflect any amended timetable. This work is usually carried out in stages. While this work is underway, it may appear that some sailings appear unavailable, so please do check back for availability.  

• Payment Information - We are currently unable to accept cash payments at Troon. If you are purchasing tickets at Troon ticket office (subject to availability), please do so using a card or contactless payment method. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Apple, Google or Samsung Pay.

• Normal operations will be in place from our Brodick port. We encourage customers to book in advance and adapt any travel plans for arrival into Troon rather than your planned Brodick - Ardrossan route.

Travelling Troon - Brodick in a vehicle

What arrangements do I need to be aware of when travelling with a vehicle from Troon to Brodick?  

• If you are travelling to Troon please use the following address for directions: Arran House,100 Port Ranald Dr, Troon, KA10 6HH 

• Check-in for vehicles closes 30 minutes prior to departure. 

• When you arrive at the port, follow the signs for 'Vehicle check-in'.

• Our team will check you in and direct you to the correct car lane. If you have requested assistance or require assistance, please advise our team that you have done so when you are checking in. Find out more about Passenger Assistance. 

• Remember, if you arrive at the port without a booking, you may not be able to travel. 

• The terminal building at Troon is approximately a 10 minute's walk from the car lanes.

• Inside the terminal building you will find:

  • ticket and information office,

  • full toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities,

  • vending machines with a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks.

• Alternative toilets can also be found in Arran House, just behind the check-in booth, which is closer to the car lanes. 

• Baby-changing facilities and accessible toilets are not available in Arran House. Please consider this before arriving at the port. 

• If you're using the facilities, either in the terminal building or Arran House, please remember to be back in your vehicle, ready to board the ferry, at check-in closing time. 

Travelling Troon - Brodick as a foot passenger

I'm a foot passenger, what do I need to be aware of when travelling from Troon?  

• The terminal building, from where foot passengers embark the vessel, is located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main entrance to the port site and the car park.

• Inside the terminal building, you'll find:

  • a waiting room,

  • assistance meeting point,

  • full toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities,

  • vending machines with a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks,

• Check-in time for *foot passengers closes 10 minutes prior to departure.   

• Car parking is available at Troon, which can be found to the left-hand side upon arrival at the ferry terminal. The car park at Troon is owned and operated by Associated British Ports (ABP). For further information on car parking at Troon, including details on parking charges, please visit our dedicated Troon FAQs page. 

I'm a foot passenger travelling from Troon and arriving at the port on foot. Where do I go when I arrive at Troon?

• Foot passenger check-in is in the terminal building and closes 10 minutes' prior to departure. Please note that the terminal building is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main entrance to the port. Please bear this in mind when planning your timings and journey.

• If you're walking to the terminal, please follow the green pedestrian walkways, and take particular care when using the pedestrian crossings. This is a busy port area with vehicles entering and leaving the site. 

I'm a foot passenger travelling from Troon, and I'm getting dropped off in vehicle. Where do I go when I arrive at Troon? 

If you're getting dropped off by vehicle (including taxis), enter the port site and follow the signs for 'Passenger drop-off'. The drop-off area is located approximately 2 minute's walk from the terminal building. A disabled drop-off area, marked by yellow chevrons, is located at the far end of the drop-off area closest to the terminal building. 

I'm a foot passenger travelling from Troon and want to leave my car in the car park. What should I be aware of? 

• Car parking is available at Troon, which can be found to the left-hand side upon arrival at the ferry terminal. The car park at Troon is owned and operated by Associated British Ports (ABP). For further information on car parking at Troon, including details on parking charges, please visit our dedicated Troon FAQs page 

• The car park will remain open until 30 minutes after the arrival of the last sailing from Brodick.

• Important advice - the shuttle bus between Ardrossan and Troon for any diverted sailings from Ardrossan will not be available after normal services to/from Ardrossan resume. Whilst car parking remains available for foot passengers at Troon, intending customers travelling to Arran during the period of diversion to/from Troon should factor this into their travel plans. Customers may wish to consider parking their cars at Ardrossan and using the shuttle bus to Troon to ensure their vehicle is at Ardrossan for their return journey. Details about shuttle buses between Ardrossan ferry Terminal, Troon train Station and Troon ferry terminal will be made available on our Ardrossan-Brodick service status page.

I'm planning on bringing my bike to Troon. Is there anything I need to know? 

Unfortunately, there are currently no bicycle racks or storage available at Troon. Please bear this in mind if you're planning on using the port facilities. 

Due to space constraints, bicycles will not be permitted in the terminal building. Unfortunately, there is currently no waiting shelter for bicycles at Troon. Cyclists should take care when travelling through the port area and dismount their bicycles when using the pedestrian walkways.

If you're taking your bike on the ferry, please remember to book online in advance to guarantee space. The port team will direct you when arriving at the port and boarding the ferry. 

Are there any public transport connections to Troon?

Yes, there is a train station in Troon with regular trains to/from Glasgow. Full details can be found on the ScotRail website. Details about shuttle buses between Troon train station and Troon ferry terminal will be made available on our Ardrossan-Brodick service status page.

I've purchased a Rail & Sail ticket from ScotRail. Do I need a separate CalMac ticket for the ferry? 

Yes. If you've purchased a Rail & Sail ticket from ScotRail, please present this to the ticket office at the ferry terminal. Our port team will provide a CalMac ticket for the ferry. 

Please note that Rail & Sail tickets purchased from ScotRail to do not constitute a booking on a CalMac service. We strongly encourage all customers (including foot passengers) to make a CalMac booking in advance to guarantee travel on your preferred sailing. 

Shuttle bus information

Will there be a shuttle bus between Ardrossan ferry terminal, Troon train station and Troon ferry terminal to support this diverted service?

Details about shuttle buses between Ardrossan ferry Terminal, Troon train Station and Troon ferry terminal will be made available on our Ardrossan-Brodick service status page. 

Where will the shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off at Troon train station? 

The shuttle bus will pick-up and drop-off on St Meddans Street, underneath the railway bridge. The walk between the platforms and the bus pick-up/drop-off point is approximately 5 minutes (uphill towards the platforms and downhill towards the bus pick-up). 

What do I need to be aware of when using Troon train station?

For further details about Troon train station, including accessibility information and station facilities, please visit the ScotRail website.

Will the shuttle buses be operated by low-floor accessible vehicles? 

The shuttle bus service is operated by coaches and, unfortunately, these are not low-floor accessible vehicles. If you are unable to use the shuttle bus, or require additional assistance, please contact the Ardrossan port office prior to travel. Ardrossan telephone number: 01294 443130, option 2. 

Can I take my bike on the shuttle bus? 

No. The shuttle bus is not able to accommodate bicycles - including folding and push bikes, given limitations on space for luggage.  

Cyclists who wish to make their own way from Troon train station to Troon ferry terminal can do so. Please use the following address for directions: Arran House,100 Port Ranald Dr, Troon, KA10 6HH.

If you're taking your bike on the ferry, please remember to book online in advance to guarantee space.

Can I take my pet on the shuttle bus? 

Yes. Our shuttle bus provider will accept pets. If you're taking your pet on the ferry, please remember to add a pet ticket to your booking to guarantee space.

Information for passengers who need assistance

What are the arrangements for those passengers who require assistance?  

Transport will be available for passengers with reduced mobility who may not be able to use the shuttle buses or the train between Ardrossan and Troon. To organise this, please contact the Ardrossan port office prior to travel. Ardrossan telephone number: 01294 443130, option 2. 

Alternatively, please make yourself known to our team at the port, and we'll do as much as we can to help. 

How will passengers embark and disembark the vessel when it is diverted to Troon?  

Customers will embark and disembark the vessel by linkspan, which means customers will access passenger areas via the car deck. 

If you require assistance with boarding, including wheelchair or lift access requests, please contact the Ardrossan port office prior to travel. Ardrossan telephone number: 01294 443130, option 2. Alternatively, please make yourself known to our team at the port, and we'll do as much as we can to help.

What to expect at Troon

What facilities are available at Troon? 

We've provided a list of what to expect below:   

• The terminal building is located at the end of the pier, beside the linkspan. Inside the terminal building, you'll find the waiting room, assistance meeting point, vending machines and toilet facilities (including an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities). 

• The terminal building also includes a ticket office, however we strongly encourage you to book online in advance to guarantee travel. Online sales close 2 hours prior to departure.

• Vending machines offering a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the terminal building.

• The terminal building is located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main entrance to the port the customer car park and car lane areas. Please bear this in mind in relation to check-in closing times (check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure for vehicles, and 10 minutes prior to departure for foot passengers) 

• Alternative customer toilets are available at Arran House, which is located at the main entrance to the port beside the car park and car lanes. However, baby-changing and accessible facilities are not available in Arran House. Please consider this before arriving at the port.

• If you're using the facilities, either in the terminal building or Arran House, please remember to be back in your vehicle, ready to board the ferry, at check-in closing time. 

Is customer car parking available at Troon? 

Car parking is available at Troon, which can be found to the left-hand side upon arrival at the ferry terminal. The car park at Troon is owned and operated by Associated British Ports (ABP). For further information on car parking at Troon, including details on parking charges, please visit our dedicated Troon FAQs page 

The car park will be closed 30 minutes after the arrival of the last sailing each evening. 

We encourage customers who are returning from the island when the service has returned to Ardrossan to leave their car in the car park at Ardrossan and use the shuttle bus to travel to Troon on the outward journey, as once the service has returned to operating from Ardrossan there will be no transport in place between Ardrossan and Troon. Shuttle bus information will be made available on our Ardrossan-Brodick service status page.

Is there a drop-off area at Troon? 

Yes. If you're getting dropped off by vehicle (including taxis), enter the port site and follow the signs for 'Passenger Drop-Off'. The drop-off area is located approximately 2 minutes' walk from the terminal building. A disabled drop-off area, marked by yellow chevrons, is located at the far end of the drop-off area closest to the terminal building. 

Is there a smoking area at Troon? 

There are no smoking areas anywhere within the port. 

What if I need help at the port? 

We know many of our customers will be unfamiliar with the surroundings at Troon, and we'll be on hand to help. You'll find our team in the terminal building and the vehicle check-in booth.

I want to use onward transport from Brodick. What should I be aware of? 

The ferry times may not connect with Island bus services. This is because we're operating an amended timetable. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.