SoC HOME FLEET NEWS FLEET LOCATIONS
 THE SHIPS
SHIPS OF THE FLEET
NORTHLINK FERRIES
FLEET FEATURES
2007 - A YEAR IN PICTURES
 THE ROUTES
NETWORK MAP
CROSSINGS
 THE COMPANY
COMPANY HISTORY
PAST LITERATURE
PAST CREW
 MULTIMEDIA
ART GALLERY
FILMS
 SoC-i
SoC FORUM
VANTAGE POINTS
VIRTUAL ISLAND HOPS
 THIS SITE
CONTACT US
HELP
FAQ
SITE UPDATES
YOUR COMMENTS
LINKS
BOOKS
SoC CREW
SoC ONLINE SHOP
 SEARCH SoC

 

CROSSINGS
Main Crossings Tobermory - Kilchoan

Tobermory - Kilchoan
Crossing Time: 35 Minutes
Regular Ship: Loch Linnhe (summer) / Raasay (winter)

 ROUTE TIMELINE:

Ships to Serve:
1986 - 1997: Coll
1998: Eigg & Bruernish
1999 - Present: Loch Linnhe / Raasay
Additional Ships:
Various members of the Island Class and Loch Class ferries on relief duties

 Terminal Facilities:

Tobermory: Quite literally a widened slipway at the very end of the town. The slipway is adjacent to the main pier and lifeboat berth. Nearby there is a cafe on the upper floor of the terminal building, above the ticket and information office.

Kilchoan: Slipway and pier jutting out into the northern end of the Sound of Mull. There is a small vehicle marshalling and turning area as well as a passenger shelter and public toilets situated close by.


 Route History:

This crossing was, until the end of 1985, in the care of one of the ex Iona Red Boats, the APPLECROSS. At the end of the 1985 season however, she was withdrawn and a replacement vessel was required. This duty fell to one of the spare members of the 'Small Island' ferries; the COLL being the chosen one. Initially she operated as a passenger only vessel, despite her space for 6 cars on her car deck. This capacity was not required as there were no vehicle loading facilities at either Tobermory or Kilchoan.


Coll at Tobermory


Rhum occupying Tobermory slipway on relief

It was not until 1991 that slipways were constructed at the COLL's termini and the crossing became a car ferry service during the summer months. Towards the end of the 1990s the COLL was replaced at Tobermory by her sister EIGG, and she herself was assisted by the BRUERNISH during the peak periods, such was demand for this crossing. It was also clear that there was demand for the ferry to run during the winter months as well, and so as the 90s drew to a close this wish was also granted and a limited service, usually two or three return sailings, was provided.

As demand grew across the CalMac network, a major cascade of ferries took place between 1997 and 1999, and in the latter year one of the four sisters built in 1986/7 was transferred from the Clyde to the Western Isles. The LOCH LINNHE took over as the dedicated Kilchoan ferry  in the spring of 1999, doubling car capacity on the 35 minute crossing and eliminating the need for drivers to reverse their cars on or off the ferry. During the winter months though, when the tourists are not around, one of the 'Small Island' ferries (either BRUERNISH or RAASAY) is in charge of the service while the LOCH LINNHE covers elsewhere for vessels on their overhauls. 


Summer vessel Loch Linnhe arriving at Kilchoan

Images from Ships of CalMac Collection

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


© ShipsofCalMac 2001-2007 unless otherwise stated | This site is NOT linked to CalMac | Contact Us | Privacy Policy