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Kennacraig
‹ Tarbert Road to Islay Port Ellen ›
Links to pages in the Road to Islay
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Kennacraig ‹ Tarbert Road to Islay Port Ellen ›
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Links to pages in the Road to Islay |
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A cold morning in November, leaving the Columba hotel at 6.15 a.m. to get to the ferry for check in time of 6.30 for the 07.15 ferry. The sky is pitch black as I leave, waiting at the terminal the first hints of light start to show over Kintyre. The picture is taken from the bow observation deck of the ferry after boarding looking towards Kintyre. As you drive up the causeway you will be directed to a lane by the staff at the terminal who will want to check your tickets. Keep the tickets handy because they will be collected as you drive up the ramp onto the car deck. Within the terminal there are toilets and a coffee machine (but unless you are desperate for caffeine wait until you are on the ferry!) and a dispensing machine for sweets, crisps and cold drinks. (all these pictures can be expanded on this page) |
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| From the bow deck the terminal is dark and empty once the lorries and cars are loaded. On the full-sized image you can see the raised bow visor of the Isle of Arran, our winter boat this year, the brightly lit terminal can be seen on the full-sized image and the lanes for the car parking. When you get on the ferry it is vital to remember which side you are parked on, getting between the lorries on a crowded ferry can be next to impossible. For mobility impaired visitors there is a lift from the car deck, just inform the staff when you arrive. |  |
By the time the ferry has left West Loch Tarbert the sun is well above the horizon, here I look back across the stern towards Knapdale and Kintyre. On the ferry there is a cafeteria serving basic but wholesome food. A reasonable meal can be bought for around £5 with coffee just under the £1 mark. There are also snacks, sandwiches and cakes. Avoid at all cost any sandwich with cheese in it, they are diabolical but the rest are OK. Also on the ferry there is a bar, a small shop for newspapers and souvenirs and a lounge. If the Ferry is the Arran there is also a soft playroom for small kids on the lower deck. The Hebridean Isles has a nice observation deck up the stairs in the cafeteria. Be aware that in common with other ferries passengers are not allowed on the car deck while the vessel is at sea so make sure you have everything you need when you leave the car. |
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Out in the Sound of Jura the ferry can encounter rough water especially in January and February. Today was pretty calm and despite a November chill it was possible to get around the deck. to the left I am looking back on the port side at the sunrise over Kintyre. Moving round to the starboard side we look up the Sound of Islay with Islay on the left and Jura on the right. The 12.50 ferry goes up this sound towards the port of Port Askaig. Watch out for dolphins, porpoises and whales which are frequently seen in these waters. |
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Two hours and a good roll and bacon and roll and egg down the ferry makes the sharp turn into Port Ellen. To the left the lighthouse of Carraig Fhada and to the left of it the singing sands. To the right we swing around the green buoy to turn towards the harbour. |
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On the starboard as you draw up to the jetty are the rocks which shelter the harbour, Seals often are basking on these rocks and it is worth looking for some. Today the water was just a bit too choppy for them and there are none. Ahead we pull into the harbour, a little late today but just in time to get to my second class. |
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‹ Tarbert Road to Islay Port Ellen › |
