Cumbrae Slipway Reconstruction

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has appointed contractors George Leslie Ltd to construct a new slipway and improved passenger facilities on the island of Great Cumbrae.

The existing slipway is nearing the end of its serviceable life and will be demolished after the new slipway is constructed. The project also includes the provision of a traffic marshalling area, a new terminal building with both staff and public welfare facilities and improved integrated public and active travel facilities.

The George Leslie team will be on site from Monday, 10 November 2025, to set up and conduct site investigations to assess ground conditions. Construction is anticipated to commence in January 2026.

To ensure our communities stay informed, we’ll be publishing the contractor’s detailed construction phasing plans. These plans will highlight key stages and any anticipated disruption, so local residents and stakeholders can plan accordingly.

We are also arranging additional face-to-face sessions with the local community towards the end of the year, where we will be able to share further updates and answer any questions you may have.

We remain committed to keeping you updated as the project progresses, and thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

If you have any questions at this stage, please get in touch via cumbrae@cmassets.co.uk.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has appointed contractors George Leslie Ltd to construct a new slipway and improved passenger facilities on the island of Great Cumbrae.  

The existing slipway is reaching the end of its serviceable life and will be demolished following the construction of the new slipway. The project also includes the provision of a traffic marshalling area, a new terminal building with both staff and public welfare facilities and improved integrated public and active travel facilities.  

The George Leslie team will be on site from today, Monday, 10 November 2025, to set up and carry out site investigations to assess the ground conditions. Construction is anticipated to commence in January 2026. 

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said:

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is providing over £12 million of funding towards upgrading ferry travel facilities on the island of Cumbrae. A popular route with islanders and tourists alike, this project will introduce a new terminal building and replace the current slipway with a more durable connection, ensuring the continuation of reliable lifeline ferry services for those who rely on them. 

“The new facilities, developed in close consultation with the local community, will benefit passenger experience by improving marshalling areas and public and active travel amenities, making it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle to and from the port.   

“This Government is committed to maintaining and improving ferry links, such as Cumbrae Port, to better meet the needs of island communities, businesses and residents. This investment will enhance the safety and resilience of ferry operations to and from Largs for years to come.” 

Ramsay Muirhead, Director of Port Infrastructure at CMAL, said:

“The upgrades to Cumbrae port will not only benefit residents and businesses, but also the thousands of people who visit Cumbrae and the town of Millport each year. We have engaged with the local community throughout the planning and design of the project, and have welcomed their input to shape our approach.   

“George Leslie Ltd has a wealth of experience in delivering infrastructure projects of this scale,  and we look forward to working with them again to deliver an upgraded ferry terminal that meets the needs of everyone who relies on the ferry service.”  

Tony Fry, Construction Director at George Leslie, said:

“George Leslie and CMAL are committed to minimising disruption during the construction of the new slipway for the popular Cumbrae-Largs ferry route. 

“Learning from our previous CMAL projects, we will utilise separate transport for bulky construction materials where possible, in order to mitigate the impact of traffic on the ferry service, especially during peak periods. Safety remains paramount to us, with construction zones strictly set apart from public and operational ferry areas to ensure the security of passengers, CalMac personnel and our site team. This collaboration which includes the local community, is focused on delivering a successful infrastructure upgrade with the lowest feasible impact to visitors and residents.” 

Complete the survey

Following today’s public event, we are asking you to share your views via our feedback survey on the Cumbrae Slipway Reconstruction Project.

This survey is your opportunity to provide your feedback on the updated preferred option for the proposed slipway, marshalling and pedestrian areas and landside facilities.

Take the online survey now ›

Download the printable survey ›

Printed surveys can be returned to the postal address below.

Alternatively, you can request a printed version of the survey by emailing cumbrae@cmassets.co.uk, by phoning 01475 749 920 or writing to CMAL, Municipal Buildings, Fore Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5EQ.

The feedback survey is now live and will close for responses on Thursday 8th February 2024.

See the storyboards

The storyboards presented at the event are now available to view online:

View the storyboards ›

For more information, or to ask a question, please contact cumbrae@cmassets.co.uk.

Find out about the emerging preferred option, plans for temporary and new traffic marshalling, road improvements, landside facilities and more.

Read the full report now ›

Ground Investigation works are expected to start in the Cumbrae slipway area on Tuesday 8th August 2023 and last for approximately one week. Bathymetric surveys and sampling works are scheduled to begin on Monday 14th August for a duration of around two weeks.

No disruption to the ferry service is anticipated as a result of these works during this time, however access to the area around the slipway at Cumbrae may be restricted.

Follow CMAL on Twitter for updates ›

📢 Cumbrae Ground Investigation Works 📢
Landside: 8th August for ~1 week
Waterside: 14th August for ~2 weeks
No disruption is expected to the ferry service, although access to the area near the slipway may be restricted
More details: https://t.co/DxjVYRIcTM pic.twitter.com/TTjlluAU3B

— CMAL (@CMAssets) August 7, 2023

See the slides from 28th June’s public event, including the options, phases and stages discussed:

View now ›

We are asking you to share your views via our feedback survey on the Cumbrae Slipway Reconstruction Project.

This survey is your opportunity to provide your feedback on the emerging preferred option for the slipway, the proposed marshalling plans and the landside facilities options.

The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete, please take the time to answer all the questions. Your responses will be very helpful to the Cumbrae Slipway Reconstruction Project team. All responses will be anonymised in reporting.

The feedback survey is now live and will close for responses on Wednesday 19th July 2023.

Take part in the online survey now ›

Alternatively, you may download a PDF version of the survey here, print it and post it back to us using the address provided in the document.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is inviting the community on Cumbrae to share their views on proposed options for the reconstruction of the slipway and landside facilities.

Options have been evaluated based on set requirements, and the emerging preferred option is to re-build the existing slipway in its current location and maintain service for the duration of construction from a temporary slipway constructed further south.

CMAL is leading the delivery of the project and is seeking feedback from the public and stakeholders.

An in-person, drop-in engagement event will take place on Wednesday 28 June 2023 between 2pm–7pm in the Community (Glass) Room at Garrison House. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and share more details about the project.

An online consultation survey will also be available on this webpage. The survey will be open from Wednesday 28 June until 19 July 2023.

A printed version of the survey can be requested by emailing cumbrae@cmassets.co.uk, by phoning 01475 749 920 or writing to CMAL, Municipal Buildings, Fore Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5EQ. Completed paper surveys should be returned no later than 19 July. Thank you.

On January 10 2023, we held a meeting with the Cumbrae Ferry Users Group to update them on the project. Below is a link to the slides presented at the meeting.

• CFUG meeting presentation – January 2023 (PDF, 2 mb)

We held a meeting with the Cumbrae Ferry Users Group to update them on our work in progress to replace or refurbish the slipway at Cumbrae.  We have published a Q&A to share the questions and feedback arising from the meeting:

• CFUG meeting Q and A – May 2022 (PDF, 607kb)