Dunoon Ferries

The Sound of Sanda Loading at McInroy's Point, with Saturn in the Background

Those wanting to cross the Firth of Clyde from Gourock to Dunoon currently have a choice of ferry operators and routes. CalMac operates from a terminus at the centre of Gourock, near the railway station to the pier in the centre of Dunoon. Western Ferries operate from McInroy's Point, at the western edge of Gourock, to Hunter's Quay, at the north end of Dunoon. For current timetable and fare information, and for bookings, visit the websites of the ferry operators, CalMac and Western Ferries.

Juno Sound of Scarba Aboard the (Retired) Sound of Sleat CalMac's Terminus at Gourock

Western Ferries have operated on this route since June 1973. The current fleet comprises four drive through ferries. Two, the Sound of Scalpay and the Sound of Sanda were purchased second hand from Amsterdam City Council in the mid-1990s. The Sound of Scarba entered service in May 2001, having been built for Western Ferries at Ferguson Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow. Her sister ship, the Sound of Shuna, also built at Fergusons, entered service in October 2003.

The Western Ferries service operates 365 days per year and there are up to 4 ferries per hour at peak times. The crossing takes 20 minutes.

Sound of Sanda Departing

CalMac's services on this route date back to January 1954 when the Arran became the first car ferry to operate on the Clyde. Since 1986 the three Streaker class ships, Juno, Jupiter and Saturn have been used on the route, though at any given time one of them is in use on the service from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.

Since 2002, additional sailings have been undertaken by the passenger only ferry, the Ali Cat. CalMac's sailings also take 20 minutes to make the crossing.

As of mid 2006, three companies, CalMac, V Ships and Western Ferries, had been invited to tender for the Gourock to Dunoon route currently operated by CalMac. Depending on the outcome of the bidding process, aspects of the service may well change. The private venture Western Ferries route described on this page is unaffected.

Saturn In The Clyde at Gourock