Travel Information - How to get there...
Updated 15/3/2012

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FERRY

Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd operate the ferry to Islay from Kennacraig www.calmac.co.uk (for timetables/fares and online booking). Telephone Kennacraig port office: 01880 730253, bookings: 08000 665000. Return fares for Kennacraig to Islay are £17.30 per passenger (bike is free) and £94 per car (less than 5m in length), if you stay for 5 days or less. Longer stays are a bit dearer.

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.

A small car and passenger ferry makes the regular 5-min crossing daily from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin Ferry on Jura. For times, view this online timetable. A return ticket costs £14.80 per car (<5m) and £2.60 per passenger (prices subject to review). The ferry crosses regularly during the day and sails to meet the Kennacraig – Port Askaig ferry and continues to ply until all cars and passengers have been transported across the Sound of Islay. Booking is not required.

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.

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) offers a significant saving over the sum of the individual fares involved.

Jura Direct Passenger Ferry: This service has now been re-funded to run again during 2012 and 2013. Go to Direct Ferry for current information direct from the operators, including the 2012 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.
If the service is a success this year - there have been a few years of funding difficulties - this operation will become a recognised passenger ferry service by the body which recognises such things, and its future viability will be more assured. The operators 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.
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 www.jurapassengerferry.com

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

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

Kennacraig is served by Scottish CityLink Coaches 0870 5505050 www.citylink.co.uk from Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow. Connections with ferry services are given on the Caledonian MacBrayne time-table and should be verified with the bus station (0141 332 7133). 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 (in 2012) by Garelochhead Coaches: timetable. We are told that the previous bus operator, Alec Dunnachie, continues to offer private hire. Details of his service and request for bookings should be made direct to Alec: 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