Erin Maguire

Several CalMac sailings between Gourock and Dunoon have been cancelled after the MV Ali Cat was withdrawn because of a main port engine problem. The MV Argyll Flyer will operate a reduced single-vessel timetable, while all sailings on Sunday, August 23, are cancelled for essential maintenance. Shuttle buses will connect Gourock with Western Ferries’ McInroy’s Point terminal and Dunoon with Hunters Quay.

A fire engine responding to a report of a fire in the open on Old Largs Road in Greenock veered onto a grass verge and came to rest beside the road. No injuries or vehicle damage were reported, and a second appliance was sent to the incident. Firefighters extinguished a small amount of burning rubbish and left the scene at approximately 3:17pm.

Removing the controversial cycle lane on West Blackhall Street in Greenock is estimated to cost £1.665 million and take around 18 months, according to an Inverclyde Council report. The lane was installed as part of a £6 million town-centre regeneration project supported partly by Sustrans funding, but retailers and members of the public have blamed the loss of parking for reduced footfall. A lower-cost alternative would install bollards for about £20,000 within three months to deter illegal parking and driving on the cycle route, addressing reported pedestrian and cyclist safety risks and reducing enforcement demands. The options will be considered by the council’s environment and regeneration committee.

Greenock Morton has launched a voluntary supporter fundraising campaign to help protect club operations amid cashflow pressures, outstanding payments from sponsor Dalrada and a difficult start to the season. The move follows the postponement and subsequent withdrawal of Estrella Football Group’s proposed three-year investment worth about £600,000. Donations can be made through the Fanbase app or the club’s website as Morton seeks to secure its long-term survival and explore future investment opportunities.

Demolition is progressing on the £24 million Central Greenock Project, including the removal of part of the A78 flyover between Wallace Place and Hunter Place and the section above the pedestrian underpass. Shrubbery and parking meters have also been removed from the Bullring car park. The A78 High Street flyover and part of the A8 are closed, with traffic diverted via the north side of the roundabout to Container Way under a contraflow system.

A man was rescued from the water off Cardwell Bay in Gourock after falling from a kayak. HM Coastguard, Helensburgh’s RNLI lifeboat and a nearby vessel retrieved him and brought him ashore, where he was placed in the care of coastguards and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

A man was taken to hospital after a serious assault on King Street near Church Street in Port Glasgow. Police Scotland attended shortly before 11:30 p.m. on August 10, 2026, and cordoned off the area for several hours before reopening it around 3 a.m. Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.

Aiden Culbert pleaded guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court to possessing a small Stanley blade that he concealed in his boxers during a police search in April. Although the offence was considered serious enough to meet the custody threshold, Sheriff Sheena Fraser imposed 12 months of supervision and 100 hours of unpaid work, citing the possibility of addressing Culbert’s substance misuse issues. The sentence was described as a direct alternative to custody, with any breach potentially leading to imprisonment.

Port Glasgow’s Glasgow Road fire station began operating in August 1969 and was officially opened by former firemaster Joseph Hartil on October 1. Replacing the former Anderson Street site, the station cost an estimated £70,000 and included a hose and drill tower, breathing apparatus chamber, and improved catering and recreational facilities. Station officer James McCallum described the new premises as long overdue and comparable to stations elsewhere in the country. The station remains in use, although the neighboring Ferguson Marine shipyard has changed significantly.

Alistair Jannetts, 45, was sentenced at Greenock Sheriff Court to seven months in custody after breaching a bail curfew three times, removing his electronic tag and failing to answer the door for police. He also received a four-month sentence for stealing laundry detergent from Sainsbury’s in Gourock while subject to six sheriff court bail orders. The sentences for the bail breaches were consecutive, and the total term was backdated to July 8. His solicitor cited a difficult upbringing, drug-misuse issues and therapy undertaken while on remand, but Sheriff Sheena Fraser concluded that custody was unavoidable.

Bruce Renfrew, a 66-year-old former volunteer at Hope Community Church in Greenock, was fined £450 after pleading guilty to sending repeated inappropriate social-media messages to a girl under 16. The girl's mother said the church initially dismissed her concerns and criticized the sentence as inadequate, reporting that the incident severely affected her daughter's mental health and school exams. The church said Renfrew had no unsupervised contact with children, implemented safeguarding restrictions and no longer has a role there. Prosecutors said the available evidence supported the case and that no further phone analysis was necessary, while concerns about an inaudible police interview recording will be raised with Police Scotland.

Greenock Morton has urged supporters to avoid unacceptable behaviour ahead of its league opener against Partick Thistle. The club cited last season’s Scottish FA fine and suspended sanctions after supporters threw objects during a Scottish Cup match, along with other incidents involving objects thrown at a match official and a supporter brawl. Morton warned that further misconduct could bring more serious financial and reputational consequences, while calling on fans to support Ian Murray’s team and respect opponents, officials and fellow spectators.

A 46-year-old man was assaulted on Bedford Street in Greenock’s west end shortly before 9pm on July 30. Police Scotland said the man was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital and appealed for information, while the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed that an ambulance attended within five minutes and transported one patient.

Ardgowan Hospice’s eight-bed inpatient unit in Greenock will close for up to a month because of difficulties recruiting senior medical cover. Current patients will be moved to nearby Renfrewshire hospices, while the closure will enable roof repairs, other building improvements and staff training. Community services and the Nelson Street Access Centre will continue operating, with the hospice working with the Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership and Clyde Hospice partners to maintain inpatient care and resolve the recruitment issue.

MV Glen Rosa has been moved from Ferguson Marine’s Port Glasgow yard to the deep-water Inchgreen Marine Park berth in Greenock. The relocation enables commissioning tests while allowing Ferguson Marine to begin major modernisation, including automated steel fabrication, upgraded electrical and safety systems, and integrated digital management tools. The ferry is expected to be handed over to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited in the fourth quarter of 2026, eight years later than originally planned, with projected costs rising to £197.5 million from the original combined £97 million estimate for Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox. The vessels are intended to serve the Arran route, but access to Ardrossan remains dependent on major port upgrades.

Sean McGartland, 39, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner toward police officers who attended his Greenock home after he called them. He swore at officers, threatened to attack them, ordered them to leave and attempted to headbutt one while being taken to a police van. Greenock Sheriff Sheena Fraser spared him jail because of mitigation including a letter from his wife, but warned that his criminal record could otherwise have led to custody. McGartland must complete 95 hours of unpaid work and remain under social-work supervision for 12 months.

Demolition is advancing on the eastern section of Greenock's Oak Mall as the £24 million Central Greenock Project moves into its next phase. Preparatory roadworks have begun around the Bullring roundabout ahead of its removal and planned road closures, while about 40% of the shopping centre is being removed to create a new glass entrance and enhance Clyde Square. The Oak Mall demolition is expected to finish by the end of September, with a temporary external façade planned for November.

Lane closures and preparatory roadworks have begun around Greenock’s Bullring roundabout ahead of its demolition. Dalrymple Street has been reduced to single lanes, nearby car parks have closed, and further closures will affect the A78 High Street flyover, part of the A8, and Wallace Place from August 3. Drivers are advised to allow extra time and follow diversions, while several McGill’s bus routes may be diverted. The work forms part of Inverclyde Council’s £24 million Central Greenock Project, which aims to improve links between the town centre and waterfront; demolition of the eastern side of Oak Mall is also continuing.

CalMac’s MV Isle of Islay has left Dales Marine in Greenock after nearly two weeks of planned maintenance and is scheduled to resume service between Kennacraig and Islay. However, a technical issue affecting both mezzanine decks will reduce vehicle capacity until further repairs are completed. CalMac said affected customers will be contacted and further updates will follow. The vessel is the first of four Turkish-built ferries, with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited having taken early ownership of the remaining three amid financial difficulties at the shipyard.

Patrick Arkley, 51, pleaded not guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court to allegations that he assaulted his partner or former partner by placing a wire or similar instrument around her neck, striking her on the head, and breaching a bail order prohibiting contact with her. Sheriff James Varney continued his bail and set a trial date of September 14.

Sean Grana, 38, of Port Glasgow, pleaded guilty to breach of the peace and resisting, obstructing or hindering police after kicking a constable in the face while being arrested following a fight at the Caledonian Bar. Greenock Sheriff Court sentenced him to 300 hours of unpaid work within 12 months instead of custody, while Sheriff Laura Mundell warned that further violence or offending would likely result in imprisonment.

Jonathon Sharpe, 33, admitted carrying an extendable metal baton and resisting arrest after police apprehended him in Shore Street, Port Glasgow. He said he carried the weapon for protection because he believed he was under threat. At Greenock Sheriff Court, Sheriff Laura Mundell warned that any repeat offence would result in imprisonment, but imposed a community payback order requiring 225 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and social-work supervision.

ScotRail apologised after passengers encountered password-reset and ticket-purchasing problems while moving to a new app and booking system that replaced the previous Trainline-supplied platform. The operator said thousands of customers had successfully downloaded the app and bought tickets, but acknowledged intermittent technical difficulties and said it was working with its supplier to resolve them. Passengers experiencing problems were advised to use the previous app, ticket offices or vending machines.