MV Arran was a pioneering Firth of Clyde vehicle ferry introduced by Caledonian Steam Packet Company in 1953.

MV Arran was the first of a trio of vehicle vessels ordered in 1951 to modernise the Firth of Clyde fleet.

[2][1] The previous Arran of 1933 was renamed Kildonan, to release the name - she was scrapped on arrival of MV Glen Sannox in 1957.

[1] MV Arran's passenger accommodation consisted of a large lounge and a tearoom above, and a bar below, the car deck.

She was initially fitted with electric hoists and side-ramps to allow the loading of vehicles from conventional piers and at any state of tide.

Once in stern-loading layout, she assumed three double crossings a day between modified at terminals at Port Ellen and West Loch Tarbert.

In West Loch Tarbert, she was able to stern load off a mild concrete slope with no linkspan, as tides are so slight.

MV Pioneer took over the Islay service on 14 August 1974, and Arran became a spare vessel, relieving regularly on both the Clyde and the Western Isles.

Arran made her last CalMac sailing, from Tiree to Tobermory on 19 July 1979, and was laid up in the East India Harbour, Greenock.