In addition to the Wemyss Bay service, Bute can also be accessed by the Kyles of Bute Ferry from Colintraive on the Cowal peninsula to Rhubodach on the A886 at the northern end of Bute.
Two ferries, the MV Bute and MV Argyle now operate on this service, taking 35 minutes to cross. They run between 7am and 8pm, later on summer weekends, and allow some Bute residents to commute to Glasgow each day for work. During the worst winter storms, the ferries sometimes divert to Gourock as a port of refuge which is somewhat less exposed than Wemyss Bay. During the winter of 2015/6 this became the mainland port for the service whilst the pier at Wemyss Bay was redeveloped.
History
In 1963 this service operated in conjunction with a Wemyss Bay - Millport (Cumbrae) service. The ferry could carry 30-35 cars and took half an hour. The cost for a car was from £1 16S - £3, depending on length, and this excluded pier dues!
