Royal Navy aircraft carrier arriving in Scotland shortly

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is on its way to Loch Long for ammunitioning, trials, and defence-related activities.

The vessel left Portsmouth earlier this week and is expected to dock at the Glen Mallan jetty in the coming days.

This will be the third visit by a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier to the Clyde this year, with Glen Mallan continuing to play a significant role in supporting the Royal Navy’s operations. The jetty, which is linked to the Glen Douglas munitions depot, underwent a £69 million upgrade in 2021.

Tug vessels recently travelled from Portsmouth to assist with HMS Prince of Wales’ arrival, demonstrating the logistical coordination required for such operations. The Royal Navy has indicated that the visit will involve a combination of trials and ammunitioning, reinforcing the carrier’s readiness for future missions.

The Northern Ammunition Jetty at Glenmallan, on the shores of Loch Long in Scotland, is a vital facility for the Royal Navy, enabling the resupply of ammunition to its surface fleet, including aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Refurbished in a £67 million project led by VolkerStevin and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the jetty was handed over for operations in 2022 after an extensive overhaul. Originally built in the 1970s, the jetty had reached the end of its economic life and required a complete reconstruction to support modern naval operations.

The refurbishment began in 2019 and included demolishing the old structure and replacing it with a new 135-metre-long jetty supported by 127 steel piles driven into the loch bed. Additional upgrades included five mooring dolphins connected by a pedestrian bridge, modular fender spacers to accommodate the carriers’ overhanging flight decks, and the installation of modern pedestal cranes for efficient loading and unloading. Navigation aids powered by solar energy, perimeter security enhancements, and new buildings for offices and storage completed the transformation.

Environmental considerations were central to the project. To protect marine life in Loch Long, noisy piling works were closely monitored by observers using underwater listening devices, and work was halted if marine mammals were detected nearby. Capture blankets were used during demolition to prevent debris from entering the loch, and waste materials were removed by barge for recycling. These measures ensured minimal environmental disruption while delivering a state-of-the-art facility.

The jetty’s refurbishment has significantly extended its operational life by an estimated 50 years, cementing Glenmallan’s role as a key logistical hub for the Royal Navy. The project received industry recognition, winning awards such as ‘Best Infrastructure Project’ at the Scottish Civil Engineering Awards and ‘Upgrade and Renewal Project’ at the British Construction Industry Awards in 2021.