ARRAN'S long-awaited new ferry MV Glen Sannox has obtained full regulatory approval, shipyard Ferguson Marine revealed today.

In a letter to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, interim chief executive John Petticrew said the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyd's Register had signed off on the vessel.

The ship's passenger certification was included in the approvals.

It will soon be passed to ferry procurement body Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) before being handed to operator CalMac for more than six weeks of checks ahead of it entering service.

But the much over-budget ferry won't be operating from Arran's busiest terminal on the mainland.

With the long awaited Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment still to get a green light from the Scottish Government, the Sannox will have to sail from Troon Harbour when it finally joins the CalMac service.

In the letter, Mr Petticrew said: "We are delighted to share that MV Glen Sannox has now obtained full regulatory approval, including its passenger certification.

"Subject to the completion of the required legal and contractual processes, the vessel will be officially transferred to its new owners, CMAL.

"Control of the vessel will then be handed to CalMac, who require six-and-a-half weeks for operational readiness and annual re-certification activities."

The announcement brings one of the longest running political issues in Scotland one step closer to being over.

In 2019, the yard was saved from administration by the government, laying bare the issues facing the Glen Sannox and its sister ship the Glen Rosa, which will also operate on the Arran route.

Initially planned to cost around £97 million and be delivered in 2018, the cost is now expected to be around four times higher, while delivery dates have been repeatedly pushed back.