GLEN Sannox has started its final round of sea trials ahead of being handed over to CMAL next month.

The overdue and overbudget ferry was spotted sailing on the Clyde earlier this morning as its belated handover to the Scottish Government's ferry procurement body CMAL draws nearer. 

Glen Sannox is due to finally be handed over in mid-October, more than six years later than her original delivery date.

Ferguson Marine, who have been working on Glen Sannox and her sister ship Glen Rosa for close to a decade, had previously stated that they intended to hand over the ship today (September 30), but this date was pushed back by two weeks due to a last-minute hitch.

(Image: Duncan Bryceland) In an update issued last week, the yard's interim chief executive John Petticrew said the vessel was still on track to be handed over in the middle of October.

Today's sea trials are one of the last hurdles for Glen Sannox to clear ahead this handover date. 

After they are completed, the yard will also have to carry out a review of findings from the sea trials, a demonstration of the engine overhaul carried out on the vessel, final sign-off on all of its components and approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and marine firm Lloyds Register.

The ferry is being constructed for the Scottish Government asset company CMAL to lease to its ferry operator CalMac and it is set to serve the Ardrossan to Brodick crossing to the Isle of Arran.