 CROSSINGS
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 Main
Crossings
Tobermory - Kilchoan |
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Tobermory - Kilchoan |
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Crossing Time: 35 Minutes |
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Regular Ship: Loch
Linnhe (summer) / Raasay
(winter) |
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ROUTE TIMELINE:
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 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 |
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Terminal Facilities:
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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.
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Route History:
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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At the end of the 1985 season however, she was withdrawn and a replacement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
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Rhum occupying Tobermory
slipway on relief
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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.
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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.
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Summer vessel Loch Linnhe arriving at Kilchoan
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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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