Corran Ferry ran 98.5% of operating period as Highland Council updates on Lochaber works

The Corran Ferry operated for 98.5% of its available operating period between 1 January and 30 September 2026, The Highland Council's Lochaber Area Committee heard on Monday 9 November, with two two-day breakdowns accounting for the remaining 1.5% of 273 operating days.

The committee was told the Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme (CFIIS), the council's programme of new slipways and berthing works on both sides of the Loch Linnhe crossing, continues to progress in line with its key timelines.

The council said that whenever an outage occurs its Corran Ferry Contingency Plan is put into effect immediately to keep access open and limit disruption to communities on both sides of the crossing.

Cllr Kate Willis, Lochaber Area Committee Chair, said: "The Committee welcomed the progress being made across a number of important services to meet the needs of Lochaber residents now and into the future."

The infrastructure scheme

Charles Brand Group Limited is principal contractor for the CFIIS landside works, which the council said began in early February 2026 on an 18-month programme. Cllr Bill Lobban, Convener of The Highland Council, marked the official start of the landside project on 10 March 2026.

According to the council's scheme page, the works comprise a new slipway and overnight berthing pier at Ardgour, and on the Nether Lochaber side a new slipway, breakwater, marshalling area, parking, shared-use path and public facilities. In its 2 October 2026 update the council said the landside infrastructure was programmed for completion by June 2027.

The same update confirmed the council had formally launched procurement of a replacement electric vessel through a single-vessel tender, with tender documentation developed in partnership with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). The council expects to award the vessel contract in March 2027, with installation and commissioning of charging infrastructure complete by September 2028 and the new ferry entering service in early 2029.

Cllr Ken Gowans, Chair of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said reaching the procurement stage for the new electric ferry was a significant milestone. Once the new vessel is in service, the existing MV Corran will continue as a relief vessel, the council said.

Reliability in 2026

The reliability figure reported to the committee follows an extended annual refit earlier in the year. The council said the MV Corran returned to service at 18:00 on Wednesday 11 March 2026 after the refit, which it attributed to delays in original equipment manufacturer parts. The relief vessel Maid of Glencoul, then 51 years old, operated daily during the refit.

The Maid of Glencoul itself returned to Loch Linnhe in the week starting 17 August 2026 after its own annual maintenance programme, according to the council.

Community Liaison Group meetings for the CFIIS are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 19:00 at Ardgour Village Hall.

Burial grounds

The committee also reviewed budgets and proposed works for bereavement services. Members heard that three Lochaber burial grounds included in the council's capital programme are projected to reach capacity within the next ten years.

At Glen Nevis Burial Ground, site clearance and substantial drainage works have been completed as part of plans to extend the cemetery. Trial digs are due this month, with a planning application to follow. Subject to approval, construction is expected to start in early 2027, and the council hopes the extension will give the site a further 20 years of capacity, depending on the trial dig results and planning.

At Kinlochmore Burial Ground, investigative work continues to identify a site for a replacement cemetery. Trial digs have been completed at a potential site and the final report is awaited. At Morar Beoraid Burial Ground, adjacent land has been secured and fenced off for a future extension.

Other business

Members agreed allocations from the Area Committee's Discretionary Budget for community initiatives across Lochaber and considered the administration of the Lochaber Common Good Fund, noting its current commitments.

The meeting closed with members thanking Cllr Andrew Baxter for his service to the council and the communities of Lochaber as he leaves his position as a local ward councillor.

The next fixed milestone for the Corran programme is the vessel contract award, which the council expects in March 2027.