Isle of Cumbrae seen arriving at Tarbert, her summer home for several years… but for how much longer?
Isle of Cumbrae is, by some margin, the oldest ship in the CalMac fleet. She was built at Troon back in 1977 and is rapidly approaching her 50th birthday. Whether she makes it to that ripe old age is uncertain. She is, perhaps, one of the less glamorous members of the fleet but has served the company very well over her long career.
Built originally for the Largs – Cumbrae Slip service, she was the first ferry of her type to be built for Clyde service. In the intervening years she has also served inter alia on Colintraive – Rhubodach and Tarbert – Portavadie on the Clyde, and Fishnish – Lochaline and even Kyle of Lochalsh – Kyleakin in the Western Isles.
As the ‘Cumbrae’ heads towards the end of a long and distinguished career, the Club would like to give members a last opportunity to sail together on her.
Waverley approaches Tarbert Pier on Loch Fyne
As she is on the Tarbert – Portavadie service this summer, she is not the most accessible of ships. However, by sailing to Tarbert on Waverley on a Tuesday, it is possible to go ashore, join Isle of Cumbrae for a return sailing to Portavadie and return in time to rejoin Waverley for her return sailing.
The date selected for this excursion is Tuesday 7 July. On that day, Waverley leaves Ayr at 09:30, Largs at 11:35, Rothesay at 12:25 and Tighnabruaich at 13:30. She arrives at Tarbert at 14:40, leaving 20 minutes to walk the short distance to the slipway for Isle of Cumbrae’s 15:00 sailing. She is back by 15:55, which again gives time to rejoin Waverley’s return sailing at 16:20. This returns passengers to Tighnabruaich at 17:30, Rothesay at 18:30, Largs at 19:10 and Ayr at 21:00.
Members should make their own bookings for the sailings via the Waverley Excursions and CalMac websites, or by buying tickets on board on the day.
Fares, including Waverley’s fuel surcharge, are as follows:
Ayr £61 (Seniors £55**)
Largs £55 (Seniors £51)
Rothesay £49 (Seniors £45)
Tighnabruaich £47 (Seniors £43)
The return fare for Isle of Cumbrae is £7.60.
**(On this sailing Seniors can bring a Friend ‘FREE’ from Ayr only! One ‘free’ Senior ticket with each Senior ticket purchased, but subject to £4 fuel surcharge; i.e. two Seniors can travel together from Ayr for just £59 – an absolute bargain!
Seen having a break at Largs, Isle of Cumbrae has served on her original route many times in recent years
We hope as many members as possible will be able to join us to bid a communal farewell to Isle of Cumbrae, one of CalMac’s finest servants over the years.
Published on 3 June 2026