Isle of Arran in Brodick Bay – July 2012 (RP)

 

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David Robertson

Gourock station.  0900.  A wet Sunday in early May.  Over one hundred individuals suddenly gathered, instantly recognisible by their sensible jackets, camera round the neck and carrying a mini rucksack complete with packed lunch, flask of tea and timetable.**  This was no ordinary Sunday.  It was the Clyde River Steamer Club’s second excursion of the year, the Cowal/Kintyre Hopper.  Building on the success of last year’s coach and cruise, an appetising itinerary had been planned by the cruising co-ordinater, Neil Guthrie.  

Shortly after his arrival at Gourock, Neil was soon encircled by hoppers all keen to know which bus they had been allocated.  For this trip, two coaches were required for the day’s contingent.  Despite having to collect tickets from a Calmac representative, allocate each bus a number and ensure all passengers had arrived, Neil managed to keep his cool and soon everyone had been assigned to a bus.  Just to complicate things, the larger bus (bus one) was parked behind the smaller bus (bus two) meaning bus one was the second bus and bus two the first!  Phew!  Everyone was soon seated in the correct place and we were off through the gloom to McInroy’s Point to catch our first ferry.    

We have a convoy! Our Coaches waiting at McInroy’s point (DR)	Sound of Seil arriving for us (DR)	A driver’s eye view of the car deck (DR)	Sound of Seil arriving at Hunter’s Quay (JN)

Normally at a ferry port it’s nice to watch the ferry approaching and have a stroll.  No such luck today; the fog was thick, the rain was descending and it was only in the last moments of her crossing that we were able to see the SOUND OF SEIL approach the berth at McInroy’s Point.  Three more hoppers joined here and soon our two buses had filled the car deck on one of the newest acquisitions to the Western Ferries’ fleet and we were gliding eerily through the mist en route to Cowal.

Buses boarding Sound of Seil  (3rd bus was a service bus to Dunoon) (JN)	“Meeting, sailing and talking together”  The CRSC at its best! (CM)

On arrival at Hunter’s Quay, the remaining five hoppers joined the party and we set off on the next leg of the journey.  The road from Dunoon to Portavadie is very scenic but today we had to imagine how things looked as visibility was poor.  ‘If you look on the left hand side you would normally see the Kyles of Bute!’  We had intelligence earlier in the day that due to the fog the service between Tarbert and Portavadie had been suspended.  We were hopeful that sailings would resume in time for our booked departure at 1145.  No such luck unfortunately as this sailing too had been cancelled.  Now there was a decision to be made.  Do we head to Portavadie and wait?  Do we divert north towards Inverary thus reaching Tarbert by road?  Do we stop in Tighnabruaich and fill the coffers of Suzy’s?  The latter was chosen figuring that if the ferry did not go back in service, at least there was less doubling back to do.

Duly arriving in the car park behind Suzy’s at 1130 in the pouring rain, everyone disembarked, most pleased to get out of the coaches for a while.  Some opted for a coffee at Suzy’s, others preferred to walk in opposite directions; some towards the pier, others towards the shops.  The queue at Suzy’s quickly resembled the queue for the ladies on a Clyde Marine ‘booze cruise’.  It did take some time to get served, especially as they were probably not expecting two coach parties to descend.  

 

It was fortuitous that we had an unscheduled stop in Tighnabruaich as no sooner had we stopped when LOCH RIDDON was spotted emerging through the drizzle.  She was heading towards the East Kyle and Rothesay for repairs after experiencing problems on the Lismore service.  Anyone would have thought Neil had deliberately planned it that way.    

 

 

Soon we had word that the ferry would be sailing from Portavadie at 1245 and it was ‘first come, first served’ given the earlier cancellations.  Most of the party were quickly rounded up and back on the coaches, thanks in part to Iain Quinn’s announcement of ‘everybody out!’ to those in Suzy’s, some of whom were still in the queue!  Leaving Tighnabruaich we picked up four stragglers (all members of the committee no less) and headed through the rain across the Ardlamont peninsula.

Meeting and talking together, with service disruption notice (CM)	Isle of Cumbrae arriving Portavadie (CM)	Isle of Cumbrae arriving Portavadie (JN)	1st bus was boarded fully loaded  2nd Bus was emptied first (NG)

On arrival at the slip at Portavadie, there was only one vehicle waiting which meant both coaches would be able to cross together and we would be back on schedule.  The mist had lifted by now but the low cloud remained which did not deter those who decided to install themselves on the verge adjacent to the slip to photograph the ISLE OF CUMBRAE’s first arrival of that day.  After loading both coaches, we sailed for Tarbert, our second crossing of the day.  I wonder when was the last occasion that two coaches crossed together on that route?  Unfortunately, the new LOCHINVAR was not in service but she could be seen in the inner harbour as we disembarked.  She was due to be handed over from Fergusons a few days later.  

Aasheim alongside at Portavadie (CM)	A tight fit for our buses (CM)	Gavin and Shelagh enjoying some fresh air (TC)

    

Secretary Eric Schofield leads the charge to the buses (GL)	Getting the two buses re-boarded with Isle of Cumbrae in background (CM)	The new Lochinvar at Tarbert (JP)

It was disappointing that we were unable to have our time in Tarbert as planned.  The reason for this was that we had another ferry to catch.  As one of the buses had to divert to Kennacraig to collect tickets, we were a few minutes late arriving at Tayinloan to catch the 1400 sailing to Gigha aboard LOCH RANZA.  This was the first time since the 1980s that the CRSC has visited Gigha on an excursion.  On that occasion it had been there and back on a bus direct from Glasgow.  Fortunately today’s route was more inviting.  

 Boarding Loch Ranza at Tayinloan (CM)

By now the weather had improved and our third crossing of the day began when the LOCH RANZA pushed off the slip at 1410.  As with the ISLE OF CUMBRAE, Calmac had put on an extra member of crew to ensure the vessel could carry the passengers offering.  The crossing only lasted twenty minutes but during this time, Neil managed to fulfill one of his lifelong ambitions and made an announcement over the tannoy informing the hoppers of their options of a ‘non landing’ trip or time ashore.  There were dolphins frolicking in the shallow waters of the Sound of Gigha as we crossed which added to the atmosphere of escapism.  

Dolphin alongside Loch Ranza (DR)	Off we go onto Gigha (DR)	Passengers coming ashore at Gigha (CM)	Loch Ranza departing Gigha (JP)

The majority of the party opted for time ashore on Gigha.  Many walked towards ‘The Boathouse’, a small restaurant on the shore which was suddenly overwhelmed by the unexpected influx.  Others headed up the hill for a drink in the hotel or a look around the only shop.  It was amazingly tranquil on Gigha and nice and sheltered from the wind.  

Even on Gigha, someone messes with the road signs (JP)	General view of Gigha (JP)	Loch Ranza arriving back at Gigha (JP)

Soon LOCH RANZA was back for the 1530 return sailing.  No dolphins or announcements this time and before long, almost 100 people were ‘power walking’ up the slipway towards the buses to catch our next ferry.  Those who had chosen the ‘non landing’ option had taken advantage of the wee café at Tayinloan.  

Next stop Campbeltown! Hoppers pour off Loch Ranza (DR)	Paul Semple prepares to tackle his “snack” supervised by Roy Paterson (CM)

Once back at the main road, we turned right and continued to head south, further down Kintyre towards Campbeltown.  Normally the way you go in to Campbeltown by road is the same way as you have to come out but fortunately the new service from Ardrossan has changed that.  We were booked on the 1655 sailing from Campbeltown to Ardrossan on the ISLE OF ARRAN and as we approached the town, we could see her over the rooftops, already at the berth.  

Isle of Arran seen through the bus window as we arrive at Campbeltown (DR)	Link span awaiting our Buses (DR)

No time for photographs here.  We were soon being checked in at the rather extensive terminal and waiting to join the seven cars and thirty two other passengers for the sailing.  This service only carried three coaches in the whole of 2013 so I would suspect that two coaches on the one crossing is a first.  Just before 1655, the ISLE OF ARRAN had slipped her moorings, was pulling off the berth and heading down Campbeltown Loch towards Davaar Island which passed a few minutes later to starboard.  

Included in the day’s fare was a two course meal onboard which Neil had taken orders for earlier in the day.  The food was great – mackerel fillets, lentil soup followed by fish and chips, curry, macaroni cheese or steak and ale pie with a choice of desserts to finish.  The onboard services staff were amazing too and were not remotely phased by serving us over a hundred meals in addition to catering for the ‘normal’ passengers.     

An empty top deck on Isle of Arran (TC)	Isle of Arran arriving at Ardrossan linkspan (DR)

ISLE OF ARRAN made light work of the crossing and was soon nearing Ardrossan.  Club President Angus Ross on his first CRSC outing since donning the mantle ten days earlier thanked the crew of the ISLE OF ARRAN for their outstanding service during the crossing and to Neil for his expert organisation and for ensuring that the day ran smoothly despite the cancellations earlier in the day.  Once off at Ardrossan at 1930, both buses headed back up the coast to Gourock, dropping off passengers at different places on the way and everyone reflected on what a great day it had been.  Ok, the weather hadn’t been as good as last year’s trip but the enthusiasm was there nevertheless.  Again, full credit goes to Neil Guthrie.  Where does he find the time to plan all this?  He managed to double the number of participants from last May and has eclipsed the numbers who have participated in January excursions to Arran.  Thanks to all members and friends who supported this excursion and as I know Neil well, I am pretty sure he’s already planning the next adventure.

 

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