TALKS that could see the Scottish government buy privately owned Ardrossan Harbour are “progressing at pace,” Scotland’s transport secretary Fiona Hyslop has said.

She revealed that officials from Transport Scotland and CMAL — the body which owns the ferries, ports and harbours for ferry services in Scotland – have been instructed to explore the “potential purchase” of the site currently owned by Peel Ports.

The move comes as the Scottish government has pledged to invest more than £530 million in the coming year to “support and enhance ferry services, including for Arran,” Ms Hyslop said.

She said cash for the potential purchase of the site has been included in the Scottish government’s budget for 2025-26.

CalMac’s new Glen Sannox ferry sails to Arran from Troon in South Ayrshire, as the vessel is too big for Ardrossan, to the north.

Ms Hyslop told MSPs that talks about purchasing the harbour are taking place in a bid to “ensure we make progress on finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost-effective way.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This is a vital step forward, but ministers must deliver full public ownership.

“A publicly owned and operated Ardrossan Harbour would ensure that every penny is reinvested into improving services, upgrading infrastructure and securing long-term economic stability for the region.”

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, whose Cunninghame North constituency includes both Ardrossan and Arran, described it as “great news.”

He added: “Public ownership will strip away the red tape that has been holding back redevelopment for far too long — and the cabinet secretary is to be congratulated for breaking the logjam.”

Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, welcomed the Scottish government’s intention to buy Ardrossan Harbour.