MV Alfred berthing at Brodick for the first time Isle of Arran

MV Alfred at Brodick for the first time, berthing there having made its way to the Isle of Arran from the pentland Firth, where its regular route was between Orkney and Caithness.
MV Pentalina took over from MV Alfred at the Orkney route for Pentland Ferries, but ran aground this evening at St Margaret's Hope, requiring 60 passengers to be rescued! Another big story in itself.
I went to Brodick with Bob Haddow (a long-time resident on Arran since the early 1940's) to watch it berthing around 11pm in the drizzle.
MV Alfred is a catamaran which was built in Vietnam in 2019, and can carry 98 cars and 430 passengers.
It is the first catamaran to be used on the Western Isles, so it's presence here is big news.
It has been chartered along with its crew for 9 months by Calmac, and Ayr is being suggested as a potential base for the ferry.
Time will tell if it, and therefore other catamarans as well, are deemed suitable for the Western Isles routes.
‪@davetheraverovingtherock‬

[@scottballantine1329]

Thanks for sharing Dave… oh god I hope this new vessel makes a huge difference to everyone on Arran and those wanting to get to and from it… including us. And Bob is utterly brilliant, he is an absolute maritime encyclopaedia… Thanks Dave (and Bob).

[@paulhamj6175]

When I lived on the island, during the nineties, it was the MV Isle Of ARRAN so yes, it really is getting on! I must say I would love a chance to travel by Catamaran next time I can manage to come up and visit, which will be sometime in 2023. I really do hope it is still being used in the service on Arran when I make the journey.
Thank you for a most enjoyable video lads!

[@russmclean2395]

Bob and Dave, thank you for posting this wonderful video. I can attest that Mr Bob Haddow has been working hard to improve the ferry service on Arran all of his life. Bob, I’d also like to thank you for giving me my first job when I was 17 in 1977 at your Brodick Garage petrol station. Pandemonium when the ferry arrived. Then a quiet hour or so whilst the ferry was away to Ardrossan. Bob, you are getting the blame for us acquiring various ferries and other ships over the years. Plus a couple of harbours! Seriously, a heartfelt thank you Sir. Bob, your influence on this soul’s life has been positive and constructive. It’s great to see the MV Alfred. A great event that has only taken 46 years! Though it is also VERY good to see everyone pulling together at this time when Arran Islanders and CalMac need a hand due to the problems besetting the newbuild replacement ferries.

[@wullieoutdoorsinscotland2192]

Good to see , shame about what's happened elsewhere last night though .

[@gilbertgeronimo1018]

Beautiful island nice catamaran