 CROSSINGS |
 Main
Crossings
Kennacraig - Port Askaig -
Colonsay - Oban |
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Kennacraig - Port Askaig - Colonsay -
Oban |
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Crossing Time: 6 Hours 15 Minutes |
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Regular Ship: Hebridean
Isles |
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ROUTE TIMELINE:
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 Ships to Serve:
1989 - 1992: Claymore
1993 - 2000: Isle
of Arran
2001 - Present: Hebridean
Isles
Additional Ships:
Various vessels on
relief duties. |
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1st leg: Kennacraig
- Port Askaig
2nd leg: Oban - Port Askaig |
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Terminal Facilities:
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Kennacraig: Terminal built on an
island sticking out into West Loch Tarbert, joined to the mainland by
causeway. Two ferry berths, one with adjustable linkspan, the other with
just a concrete ramp. Passenger gangway lies between the two berths.
Extensive vehicle queuing area adjacent to linkspan with terminal offices
and facilities close by. There is ample parking space elsewhere on the
'island'. Port
Askaig:
Basic linkspan which consists of a concrete ramp at the side of the pier
and can be used at all tides. Vehicles queue up on the pierside and this
is also where the passenger gangway and terminal office are located.
Colonsay:
Pier and linkspan (dates over twenty years apart!) set out into the bay at
Scalasaig on Colonsay. Passenger gangway is located along the pier and
vehicle marshalling area in located adjacent to the linkspan.
Oban: A new terminal building is under construction. There is
currently one linkspan, although a second is planned. However due to
ongoing arguments in Oban this second and much needed facility is under
serious threat. There is a mobile, powered passenger gangway which
can be shifted depending on the next vessel due in. Upon completion of new
terminal building, the already large vehicle marshalling area will be
extended. |
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Route History:
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The link sailing between Kennacraig and Oban was started in 1989 following
the introduction of the CLAYMORE
on the Islay services. She replaced the previous incumbent IONA
following her displacement from the Outer Isles service by the new LORD
OF THE ISLES upon her entry into service early in 1989. At the same
time the veteran ferry COLUMBA
was relieved from her duties - one of which was the route from Oban to
Colonsay.
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Colonsay was now served three times a week from Oban by the ISLE
OF MULL but in addition to this the Islay ferry started a once
weekly service to Oban from Kennacraig via Port Askaig and Colonsay. This
new crossing allowed residents of Colonsay to leave the island in the
morning and then return in the late afternoon - something not previously
possible as any departure from the island involved at least one night on the
mainland.
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Claymore returning to Kennacraig
from Oban
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Isle of Arran loading up at
Kennacraig
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Over the years this seasonal service became a regular occurrence and was
popular with people on Islay and Colonsay alike. Day trip tickets were
offered at reasonable prices and in 1993 the facilities onboard were
enhanced somewhat with the introduction of a larger ferry.
The ISLE
OF ARRAN was displaced from her namesake island in 1993 when the new
giant CALEDONIAN
ISLES was pressed into service on the Ardrossan - Brodick service.
This was the chance to provide true drive-through capabilities to the Islay
service. Naturally this was also brought to the Kennacraig - Oban link on
Wednesdays and the ISLE
OF ARRAN became a regular visitor to Oban and Colonsay during the
summer months.
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The ISLE
OF ARRAN remained on the crossing until 2001 when the slightly
younger former Uig Triangle ferry HEBRIDEAN
ISLES took over the Islay service. For two summers she was the sole
vessel at Islay and Wednesdays therefore meant only one return service
linking Islay and the mainland. This changed for the better after
couple of seasons when the ISLE
OF ARRAN returned to Islay once again to offer her services.
As a result of this, each season since her reintroduction, the HEBRIDEAN
ISLES has provided the Wednesday Oban sailing while the ISLE
OF ARRAN soldiered on at Islay. The situation in the summer months
is still the same today.
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Hebridean Isles arriving from
Colonsay
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 Images from Ships of CalMac Collection |
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 SoC Useful Links:
To see a more detailed description of the islands and photos, visit
Undiscovered Scotland and click on a place. |
SoC
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