ARGYLL FERRIES GEARS UP FOR FIRST COWAL GAMES

Newly-formed ferry operator Argyll Ferries Ltd, (AFL) which recently won the tender to provide passenger services between Gourock and Dunoon, has announced its plans to assist people travelling to the Cowal Gathering later this month.

The Cowal Gathering (August 25 – 27) is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the summer on the Upper Clyde and Argyll Ferries is to supplement its current two vessel passenger service with CalMac’s MV Saturn on Saturday, August 27, when the gathering reaches its climax with the Pipe band Championship and Highland Games.

The timetable will operate as published on Thursday and Friday and up until 0820hrs on Saturday morning, (see http://www.argyllferries.co.uk/timetables-and-fares.htm) after which time three vessels, the MV Argyll Flyer, MV Ali Cat and MV Saturn will provide a regular passenger service for the rest of the day, with the last sailing of the day departing Dunoon for Gourock at 2310 hrs. In order to accommodate the extra sailings during the day, the late night Saturday sailings at 2340 and 0100 from Gourock and 0010 and 0125 from Dunoon are cancelled.

AFL Contract Manager, Alasdair Henderson, said: “This is the first Cowal Gathering since Argyll Ferries was created and we are pulling out all the stops to help people travel quickly and comfortably between Gourock and Dunoon. The increased frequency of ferries offers improved connectivity with rail services from Glasgow into Gourock Station and we will guide travellers on arrival and sell tickets on the pier to provide the best possible passenger experience at a very busy time.

“Through tickets to Dunoon are also obtainable on rail services from Glasgow Central station to Gourock, and purchasing them this way will help reduce queuing times. Once in Dunoon, buses will be available to take people directly to the stadium from the Pier.“

He added:”We want our customers to enjoy their trip across the Clyde as part of a great day out, and remind everyone that, in line with local byelaws, drinking alcohol in public is forbidden in Gourock and Dunoon, and also on board. This will be strictly enforced via CCTV systems which will be used to monitor passenger safety and revenue control.”