Kilbrannan Sound Ferry
| Kilbrannan Sound Ferry | |||
| Location Map ( geo) | |||
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| From: | Claonaig | ||
| To: | Lochranza, Arran | ||
| Distance: | 7.3 km (4.5 miles) | ||
| County | |||
| Argyll • Buteshire | |||
| Current Operator | |||
| Caledonian Macbrayne | |||
| Toll | |||
| £32 (Car + driver, 2012) | |||
| On road(s) | |||
| • B8001 • A841 | |||
This service is summer only. In the winter, Arran is accessed instead by the Portavadie Ferry service, which was initiated in 2003, or the year-round Brodick Ferry from Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast.
Crossings
The ferry service from Claonaig provides a regular link from Arran to Kintyre during the summer months. It is predominantly a tourist service, allowing holidaymakers to cross from Ayrshire to Kintyre via Arran, with the option of then continuing to Islay and the rest of the Hebridies on an Island Hopping Holiday.
The crossing takes approximately half an hour and there are up to 9 crossings each way each day from Monday to Sunday. The Claonaig ferry terminal lies on the B8001, while Lochranza is now at the end of the A841 which used to form a complete circuit of Arran.
Operational Challenges
The lack of a breakwater and exposed location at Claonaig can result in berthing not being possible at Claonaig when a large swell is present. The large swells that occur in the Kilbrannan can also make the crossing "interesting" and if berthing is possible at Claonaig it's not uncommon to drive off a moving ramp.
Ferries
| Name | IMO | Operator | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catriona | 9759862 | Caledonian MacBrayne | 2016-date | 23 cars; Diesel-Electric Hybrid |
| Loch Riddon | 8519875 | Caledonian MacBrayne | 2003-2016 (Winter Service) | 17 cars |
| Loch Tarbert | 9039389 | Caledonian MacBrayne | 1992-2016 (Summer Service) | 17 cars |
| Loch Ranza | 8519887 | Caledonian MacBrayne | 1987-1992 | 12 cars |
| Rhum | 7319589 | Caledonian MacBrayne | 1972-1987 | 5 cars |
Links
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