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CROSSINGS
Main Crossings Ballycastle - Rathlin
Ballycastle - Rathlin
Crossing Time: 45 Minutes
Ship: Canna

 ROUTE TIMELINE:

Ships to Serve:
1996: Bruernish
1997: Bruernish / Canna
1998 -Present: Canna
Additional Ships:
Raasay and Bruernish on overhaul cover duties

 Terminal Facilities:

Ballycastle: Slipway located in the main harbour adjacent to the berth for the now ceased Ballycastle - Campbeltown crossing

Rathlin: Main overnight berth for the vessel is located here. Loading takes place via the slipway, for cars (islanders' vehicles only) and foot passengers


 Route History:

Initially the car ferry service from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland to Rathlin was operated by CalMac under charter to the Northern Ireland Office. The BRUERNISH ventured south across the North Channel and took up the service in December 1996. In the event the route was to pass into CalMac's sphere of operations the following April.

Although BRUERNISH had the capability of carrying up to 6 cars across on each sailing, this facility was restricted to vehicles of islanders only, as on Iona in the Western Isles. As a result the service was to remain a mainly passenger orientated service.

The BRUERNISH remained on the Irish crossing for only a few months. April 22nd 1997 saw the new Rathlin ferry arrive in the form of her sister CANNA, herself recently replaced on the Scalpay crossing by RHUM.


Canna at Rathlin Island

Since April 1997 the CANNA has remained the dedicated Rathlin vessel and barring spells on the Clyde for annual overhaul, she has not deviated from this crossing. On spells off duty she is usually relieved by one of her sisters, either the BRUERNISH or the last of her type, RAASAY

The initial contract for the Rathlin service was for five years, however given the success of the service, this was recently extended. The success can be put down to mainly marketing efforts by CalMac. Leaflets were produced with the sole aim of publicising the small island, and coupled with special day sail prices, the tourists soon took up the offers available. 


SoC Useful Links:
To see a more detailed description of the islands and photos, visit Undiscovered Scotland and click on a place.


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