FERRIES

Kennacraig to Islay vehicle ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. www.calmac.co.uk operate the vehicle ferry to Islay from Kennacraig.
See their website for timetables/fares and online booking
There are summer and/or winter timetables for the Kennacraig-Port Askaig/Port Ellen routes.
Booking Hotline 08000 650000
Kennacraig 01880 730253
Port Ellen 01496 302209
Port Askaig 01496 840536

Return fares for Kennacraig to Islay are £ 12.60 per passenger (bike is free), and £62 per car or camper (less than 6m in length). It appears that passengers are DOWN by £ 4.70 on 2012 prices, cars by £32 per car, campers up to 6m now the same as cars, longer campers now on a sliding scale, and there is no longer an increase if you stay for more than 5 days. What nice people they are!

Islay is reached by car/passenger ferry from Kennacraig (West Loch Tarbert) in Kintyre. Islay has two ports served regularly from Kennacraig – Port Ellen and Port Askaig, the latter much more convenient (especially for foot passengers) travelling onward to Jura. Booking for vehicle transport is essential. For cyclists, the distance between Port Ellen and Port Askaig is 21 miles.

Islay to Jura Vehicle Ferry
operated by ASP Ship Management on behalf of Argyll & Bute Council
Port Askaig-Feolin (Jura)
The Pier, Port Askaig, Islay 01496 840681

This small car and passenger ferry makes a frequent 5-min crossing from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin Ferry on Jura. For times and fares, view the timetable, courtesy of Calmac. A return ticket costs £15.20 per car (<5m) and £2.70 per passenger. Phone 01496 840681 for further info. The ferry continues to ply until all cars and passengers have been transported across the Sound of Islay, subject to daylight. Booking is not required.

Tayvallich to Jura Passenger Ferry
operated by Islay Sea Safari on behalf of the Isle of Jura Development Trust

Please check the new Tayvallich page for important details on parking and camping.

Their website has the latest information on this fast service which runs direct to Craighouse from Tayvallich. Calmac also publish the timetable.

This large RIB offers fast and direct transport from the mainland to Craighouse, yards from the camping and race centre, for foot passengers and their bicycles (12 bikes allowed). Dogs are also allowed.
Bicycles, dogs and children under 5 yrs travel free.
This service is not guaranteed for ever - the more it is used, the more its future viability will be assured. The operators and islanders are very keen that we use it if possible.
The single fare is £20 on a scheduled crossing, which is subsidised. Every time and as often as 12 passengers can be co-ordinated to book a charter crossing, the fare each will be £25, which is not subsidised, and needs a full boat.
At Tayvallich, which is between Oban and Kennacraig, there are a coffee shop, a Spar store, and toilets. There is parking for 20 cars, parked 'prettily'. More parking than this could be problematic, so share a car, for the last bit at least, if possible.
N.B. before the 2013 race we shall be checking up with local people regarding possible parking and camping issues at Tayvallich, so please look out for further news items.
There is a bus route from Lochgilphead, service 425, operator's phone: 01546870354.
The boat is run by Nicol MacKinnon, and is available 24/7 for trips (so he says). Contact Nicol on 07768450000, or nicol@jurapassengerferry.com, or through the website

By fast boat from Easdale (16 miles south of Oban)
Seafari Adventures operate a fleet of fast RIBs. Travel time Easdale to Craighouse is circa 80 minutes. Departure times to suit. Friday or early Saturday morning. Return times departing Craighouse late Saturday afternoon/evening or Sunday.
Group bookings available - charter the whole boat (12 persons)
Ample free car parking at Easdale
www.seafari.co.uk/oban Tel 01852 300003

Kennacraig is reached by road from Glasgow via Loch Lomond (A82), Arrochar (A83) and Tarbert. The distance from Glasgow is 105 miles and is often slow. Traffic is sometimes diverted via Tyndrum if the Rest and be Thankful section is closed due to accident or landslide. (Extra hour).

An alternative route to Kennacraig is via the Isle of Arran using Caledonian MacBrayne car/passenger ferries from Ardrossan in Ayrshire to Brodick and from Lochranza to Claonaig on Kintyre. The ‘Island Hopscotch’ fare (including Kennacraig to Islay return) can offer a significant saving over the sum of the individual fares involved.

BUSES
Time-tables and other information regarding public transport in the Argyll & Bute area can be obtained from Traveline Scotland 0871 2002233 for information on all public transport www.travelinescotland.com

Scottish City Link Coaches
Kennacraig is served by Scottish CityLink Coaches
Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow; 0871 266 3333, info@citylink.co.uk.
Service 926 runs between Campbeltown and Glasgow via Kennacraig. There are several services a day, and they take about 3 hrs from Glasgow to Kennacraig. This is a perfectly feasible route.

Connections with ferry services should be verified with the bus station (0871 266 3333). There is a limited bus service between Cloanaig and Kennacraig connecting the Lochranza to Claonaig and Kennacraig to Islay ferries.

On Islay, buses connect Port Askaig with ferries to/from Port Ellen and services to/from the Airport. For information, call the local bus operator on 01496 840274, or pick up a timetable on arrival at the Information Desk.

On Jura, a bus operates between Feolin and Craighouse, proceeding to Inverlussa. This is operated by Garelochhead Coaches: timetable and full details. Please telephone the operator on 01436 810200 for further details, including whether or not a service will run on the Sunday. The driver on Jura is Michael Varley.
We are told that the previous bus operator, Alex Dunnachie, continues to offer private hire. Details of his service and request for bookings should be made direct to Alex: 01496 820314 or 01496 820221 (numbers not checked by website editor).

BY AIR www.hial.co.uk/islay-airport.html
Islay can be reached by air from Glasgow (35mins). Buses connect with flight times for transport to/from Port Askaig.
Bookings/Enquiries, Islay Airport: 01496 302361