NEWLY appointed CalMac vessel MV Glen Sannox has today departed Inverclyde for the first time since being handed over by shipyard Ferguson Marine.

The long-delayed ferry will service Troon in South Ayrshire and Brodick on the Isle of Arran after being transferred to the Scottish Government's ferry procurement body, CMAL, last week.

The ferry was due to serve the Ardrossan Brodick route but she won't fit in Ardrossan's port until work has been carried out on the Irish Berth by Peel Ports. That means she'll serve from Troon initially.

Over the next five weeks the ship's crew will undertake Delivery to Operation Plans and familiarisation exercises ahead of an anticipated introduction to service early next year.

And just this morning, another landmark was reached after she docked at Troon for the first time as those trials look to ramp up over the coming weeks and over the next few days she will berth out with Inverclyde for the first time as tests are carried out in South Ayrshire.

CalMac bosses have also confirmed that the vessel will berth in Fairlie, North Ayrshire, over the next few days during said trials.

A CalMac announcement today said: "Following handover to CalMac last week, MV Glen Sannox will be berthed in Troon from Tuesday, November 26 to Thursday, November 28 as part of planned trials.

"During this time she will undertake berthing and bunkering before departing for Fairlie to continue with the Delivery to Operations Plans."