About Western Ferries
Our 20 minute Firth of Clyde crossing between Gourock and Dunoon operates 32, 000 sailings a year, from early morning to late at night, 365 days a year.
Western Ferries Description
Western Ferries is a privately owned company which has operated the fast and frequent crossing between Hunter's Quay (Dunoon) and McInroy's Point (Gourock) across the Firth of Clyde since 1973. This route links the central belt of Scotland with the Cowal peninsula, Argyllshire and beyond. There are sailings from each terminal every 20 minutes throughout most of the day and every 15 minutes at peak times.
The Company operates a fleet of 4 modern roll-on roll-off passenger and vehicle ferries which provide a regular and frequent service, delivering nearly 32, 000 sailings, early morning to late at night, over 365 days a year. All our vessels are designed to provide easy access for wheelchair users.
There is no need to book or to check-in, this turn up and go service allows you to board the first available ferry quickly and easily.
Reviews
We’ve got a treat for you today! Step back to 1978 and enjoy this video of Dunoon and Hunter’s Quay – with cameo appearances from some of our older vessels. #FlashbackFriday
What a view! There’s nothing like a ferry trip to put a smile on your face. Thanks to Katelyn Jane Meechan for this one.
Western Ferries Sponsorship Programme is delighted to help support Cowal Sheepdog Trial which will be held this year on 25 July.
Lovely summery shot from Michael Davey, taken onboard Sound of Scarba recently. Please tag us into your onboard shots using @Western_Ferries on Twitter and Facebook.
The rays were lighting the way to Hunter’s Quay in this great photo from @StephenAHenry on Twitter.
We're looking forward to bringing POC Scottish Enduro Series competitors and fans to Dunoon. Great video by Ali Clarkson
With just over a month until this year's Cowal Highland Gathering it was great to see it mentioned in Scottish Field - we are proud to help sponsor this incredible event.
Travelling from Baltiysk to Vistula Spit in Russia? You’ll need to hop on board the Vistula. Does she look familiar? She should, she was formerly Sound of Shuna #ThrowbackThursday
Western Ferries Sponsorship Programme is delighted to help support Kyles of Bute Golf Club.
Great photo of Sound of Soay by @ScotlandDX (over on Twitter) recently. She's looking fantastic in the sunshine #ScotScorchio
We were delighted to welcome Charlie onboard recently. Remember dogs are welcome on deck when they’re kept on a lead – they like to enjoy the journey too!
Pets travel free with Western Ferries so treat them to a trip across the River Clyde with us!
The only hot dogs we like are at a BBQ – so keep your pooch cool when you travel with us. Let them stretch their legs onboard (on a lead) and let them enjoy the journey as much as you will!
Great news for The Underwater Centre in Fort William. But can you spot the ex-Western Ferries vessel in the photo? And can you name her? #FlashbackFriday
She was the one who changed the face of ferry travel on the west coast of Scotland. She is, of course, Sound of Islay. Thanks to Neil King on Flickr for this one. #ThrowbackThursday #WesternFerriesAt50
Western Ferries Sponsorship Programme is delighted to help support Sandbank Senior Citizens Club.
We are delighted to announce continued investment with a further £4m into upgrading the terminal infrastructure at Hunter’s Quay, Dunoon.
The works include the delivery and installation of a new 30m long linkspan to replace the existing structure as well as enhancements to the berthing facilities and the shore side infrastructure.
Arch Henderson has been appointed as consultant engineers to oversee delivery, whilst Ferguson’s Shipyard in Port Glasgow will fabricate and insta...ll the new linkspan. Both appointments reunite the team that successfully delivered upgrade works to Western Ferries’ terminal at McInroy’s Point in 2017.
Ipswich based Red7Marine has been appointed to deliver the shore side infrastructure improvement works and enhancements to the berthing facilities following success in a competitive tender process. Western Ferries has chosen to work with Red7Marine on the project due to their proven track record of successfully delivering high profile marine construction projects throughout the UK. With an in-house engineering and consultancy team Red7Marine is able to support clients throughout the project development phase, as well as delivering on-site activity.
Similar to the works carried out last year at McInroy’s Point, this latest programme of investment will maintain and improve on the operational flexibility of Western Ferries’ services, for the benefit of the 1.3 million passengers who use the service each year. Once completed, the upgraded berthing facilities will be better equipped to accommodate tidal variations and changeable weather conditions, leading to enhanced reliability and overall service resilience.
Work will get underway this month and is scheduled to be completed and fully operational by the end of 2018.
Gordon Ross, Managing Director of Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd said: “This is an exciting time as we prepare to embark on this £4m phase of improvement works.
“Western Ferries operates more than 32,000 sailings and carries 650,000 vehicles every year. In order to provide the most frequent and reliable service possible for the Cowal and Inverclyde communities, we are fully committed to ensuring that our infrastructure is robust and that our investment programme continues to benefit the thousands of passengers who use and rely on our services for work and leisure.”
Kristen Branford, Managing Director of Red7Marine, said: “We have an excellent track record for delivery and are looking forward to working with Western Ferries to deliver this latest phase of enhancements and we are confident that the new facilities will be completed by the end of December.”
The works have been planned to ensure there will be minimal disruption to services throughout the construction period.
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Fancy catching a sunset? We’re on the right route! Thanks to @StephenAHenry for tweeting us this one!
Sound of Shuna looking great under a cloudless sky when @ade_robertson travelled with us recently! You can post your photos onto our Facebook page, or tweet us @Western_Ferries
We LOVE seeing your Western Selfies - thanks to @AmandaG35748235 on Twitter, for this one taken with Sound of Shuna! Send us your onboard selfies and tag us in and we'll share as many as we can
Arthur MacEachern was Sound of Gigha’s skipper, running between Islay and Jura from 1969 until she left in 1998. A true Western Ferries legend. Read more about his life as the Skipper of the Sound of Gigha thanks to Islay.info #ThrowbackThursday
Western Ferries support the Breast Way Round every year - awesome crowd :)
Western Ferries provide a good service from Gourock to Dunoon and are the best ferry company. I use Western Ferries to avoid going the Loch Lomond road and it is a really nice scenic run. The good thing is that you can buy the tickets on the ferry and they have no expiry date on them. It would be nice to see Western Ferries running ferries to Jura again because the Jura ferry was better when it was run by Western Ferries.
Travelled to the Cowal Heilan Games on Saturday using Western Ferries, from start to finish all staff were , friendly, helpful and polite, even on a busy day for all the crew they showed professionalism at all times and kept all public areas inside and out spotlessly clean, I was fortunate enough to be coming home on the same ferry as Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band and had some great entertainment on the upper deck from them, I did record it but for some unknown reason it won't let me post in your pub page!!! �� Not the end of the world but the end of the Pipe Band Season now, so wishing you guys all the best for hopefully a trouble weather free winter season ahead. ���
The staff are an absolute credit. Everyone in the UK is heading for sunny Cowal this weekend by the looks of it, effective traffic management in place, guys must be roasting but still friendly as ever getting us all safely across. Thank you!
The best ferry trip ever. Stunning views and an extremely efficient service. Dog
friendly which was much appreciated by our Husky who also took in the sights with great interest. Looking forward to the trip back but definitely not looking forward to leaving this beautiful part of the world.
Phoned yesterday good feedback and used your 15.00 pm service this Afternoon smashing crossing will be back.
Once again on behalf of the Cowal Badminton Association, I would like to say a huge thank you to Western Ferries for their continued sponsorship. It is much appreciated and will go along way in helping develop our juniors. Thanks again �
Left my lights on and my battery went dead :( Fantastic crewmen came over and told me not to panic and then jump started my car in a matter of minutes. Fantastic service!!
I've been using the western ferries service for 35 + years and have always been more than happy with the service. Over the years the boats keep going sometimes in atrocious conditions and I can only count a handful of times when the service was suspended due to weather. A big thanks for a job well done to all who operate both on land and on the vessels..🖒
I'd never driven onto a ferry by myself before yesterday - the guys at Western Ferries were so friendly and welcoming that it was no bother at all and I actually enjoyed the experience! Everything ran really smoothly - shown where to wait in the car park and where to stop on the ferry. The people who checked the tickets were friendly and warm too. I'd highly recommend using Western Ferries!
I have been using the ferries for a month now. Having never used a transport ferry before, i found the whole experience really easy. I always get a ticket from the local shop in Dunoon as it is much cheaper. I can not fault the service. After a 5 hour drive up to Gourock, it's always a pleasure to board the ferry for a well earned rest before disembarking in Dunoon. All the staff have been friendly, helpful and proffessional. The lounge and toilets have always been clean and tidy. The ferry is well sign posted on the road in from Gourock and well signed once you enter the parking area. I've never had to wait long for a ferry, as they are quite frequent. There are some fabulous views and photo opportunities once on board and you may see the odd porpoise if you're lucky.
Huge respect to this company and crew for the hard work they put into making sure we get home. Thank you.
Great service, very reliable.
First class very friendly and helpful staff
so far I've not had any problems at all Allways seems to run unlike the Argyll ferries
Brilliant service , I used you on the 19th September and it was a brilliant. The ferry is spotless and the guys are so friendly and very professional . Couldn't fault anything. My very old Camper was made to feel like royalty onboard. Thank you and I hope to get back and use you again in the future .
Always an excellent service with professional and attentive crew.
Only been on these ferrys Twice using return tickets & over all a pleasant journey would recommend them only takes 20 minutes from Gourock to Dunoon and a quick on & off well organised. We just missed one on the return journey only had to wait 20 minutes for the next one
We are a visitor to the area and used the ferry for the first time, sadly it will be the last. While it's an efficient and mostly efficient way to travel, the pricing on the website wasn't very clear so bought tickets on the ferry. For the car, two adults and two kids it was £48. I later found out I could have paid half that as a foot passenger. So blew most of our daily budget on the ferry. Sad really, as besides this we enjoyed the ride.
Sunday service needs to be reviewed. This is the 2nd weekend that i had to wait an hour to get on at Hunter Quay . Cars all waiting up the roadside trying to get into the lanes as they over flowed ..
Western Ferries support the Breast Way Round every year - awesome crowd :)
Western Ferries provide a good service from Gourock to Dunoon and are the best ferry company. I use Western Ferries to avoid going the Loch Lomond road and it is a really nice scenic run. The good thing is that you can buy the tickets on the ferry and they have no expiry date on them. It would be nice to see Western Ferries running ferries to Jura again because the Jura ferry was better when it was run by Western Ferries.
Travelled to the Cowal Heilan Games on Saturday using Western Ferries, from start to finish all staff were , friendly, helpful and polite, even on a busy day for all the crew they showed professionalism at all times and kept all public areas inside and out spotlessly clean, I was fortunate enough to be coming home on the same ferry as Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band and had some great entertainment on the upper deck from them, I did record it but for some unknown reason it won't let me post in your pub page!!! �� Not the end of the world but the end of the Pipe Band Season now, so wishing you guys all the best for hopefully a trouble weather free winter season ahead. ���
The staff are an absolute credit. Everyone in the UK is heading for sunny Cowal this weekend by the looks of it, effective traffic management in place, guys must be roasting but still friendly as ever getting us all safely across. Thank you!
The best ferry trip ever. Stunning views and an extremely efficient service. Dog
friendly which was much appreciated by our Husky who also took in the sights with great interest. Looking forward to the trip back but definitely not looking forward to leaving this beautiful part of the world.
Phoned yesterday good feedback and used your 15.00 pm service this Afternoon smashing crossing will be back.
Once again on behalf of the Cowal Badminton Association, I would like to say a huge thank you to Western Ferries for their continued sponsorship. It is much appreciated and will go along way in helping develop our juniors. Thanks again �
Left my lights on and my battery went dead :( Fantastic crewmen came over and told me not to panic and then jump started my car in a matter of minutes. Fantastic service!!
I've been using the western ferries service for 35 + years and have always been more than happy with the service. Over the years the boats keep going sometimes in atrocious conditions and I can only count a handful of times when the service was suspended due to weather. A big thanks for a job well done to all who operate both on land and on the vessels..🖒
I'd never driven onto a ferry by myself before yesterday - the guys at Western Ferries were so friendly and welcoming that it was no bother at all and I actually enjoyed the experience! Everything ran really smoothly - shown where to wait in the car park and where to stop on the ferry. The people who checked the tickets were friendly and warm too. I'd highly recommend using Western Ferries!
I have been using the ferries for a month now. Having never used a transport ferry before, i found the whole experience really easy. I always get a ticket from the local shop in Dunoon as it is much cheaper. I can not fault the service. After a 5 hour drive up to Gourock, it's always a pleasure to board the ferry for a well earned rest before disembarking in Dunoon. All the staff have been friendly, helpful and proffessional. The lounge and toilets have always been clean and tidy. The ferry is well sign posted on the road in from Gourock and well signed once you enter the parking area. I've never had to wait long for a ferry, as they are quite frequent. There are some fabulous views and photo opportunities once on board and you may see the odd porpoise if you're lucky.
Huge respect to this company and crew for the hard work they put into making sure we get home. Thank you.
Great service, very reliable.
First class very friendly and helpful staff
so far I've not had any problems at all Allways seems to run unlike the Argyll ferries
Brilliant service , I used you on the 19th September and it was a brilliant. The ferry is spotless and the guys are so friendly and very professional . Couldn't fault anything. My very old Camper was made to feel like royalty onboard. Thank you and I hope to get back and use you again in the future .
Always an excellent service with professional and attentive crew.
Only been on these ferrys Twice using return tickets & over all a pleasant journey would recommend them only takes 20 minutes from Gourock to Dunoon and a quick on & off well organised. We just missed one on the return journey only had to wait 20 minutes for the next one
We are a visitor to the area and used the ferry for the first time, sadly it will be the last. While it's an efficient and mostly efficient way to travel, the pricing on the website wasn't very clear so bought tickets on the ferry. For the car, two adults and two kids it was £48. I later found out I could have paid half that as a foot passenger. So blew most of our daily budget on the ferry. Sad really, as besides this we enjoyed the ride.
Sunday service needs to be reviewed. This is the 2nd weekend that i had to wait an hour to get on at Hunter Quay . Cars all waiting up the roadside trying to get into the lanes as they over flowed ..