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20 May 2024
We want to let our customers know about infrastructure work at Rothesay (Bute) harbour being undertaken by the harbour owners, Argyll & Bute Council, which will affect some Wemyss Bay/Rothesay services as outlined below.
The work will support the pier's future by allowing it to accommodate larger, more powerful vessels than the original pier was designed for.
Argyll & Bute Council estimate that the work, which will commence on 27 May 2024, will take approximately nine months to complete, depending on weather conditions and the supply of materials.
Most of our Wemyss Bay/Rothesay services will continue to operate as normal.
However, the second morning sailing from Rothesay (Monday-Saturday), and the penultimate evening sailing from Wemyss Bay (Monday-Sunday), will not operate during the works period. Please see details below. Our timetable page has been updated to reflect this change and our Service Status and Information page will show the very latest details for the route.
We've provided an overview of the sailings which will not operate below:
Summer 2024 Timetable (27 May - 20 October 2024)
Mondays - Thursdays
*07:05 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay & 19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
(*Please note: on Monday 27 May, only, the 07:05 sailing from Rothesay will operate to Wemyss Bay.)
Fridays
07:05 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay & 20:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
Saturdays
08:05 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay & 20:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
Sundays
19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
Winter 2024/25 Timetable (21 October 2024 - 28 February 2025*)
Mondays - Fridays
07:05 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay & 19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
Saturdays
08:05 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay & 19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
Sundays
19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
The reason for this change to service is due to the berth not being available to us overnight. This is to allow the contractor access to the works site. Consequently, the Wemyss Bay/Rothesay vessel which normally berths at Rothesay during the night will be required to re-locate to Gourock for overnight berthing.
We'll keep our customers informed about the completion date of the infrastructure work, and the restoration of the affected services, via further updates to this Customer Update, however, for the very latest information on the route, please always check our Service Status & Information page.
Are there any plans to re-instate the affected services during busy festival periods?
Yes. To support travel to/from Bute during busy periods, we've worked closely with Argyll & Bute Council to accommodate re-instating the following sailings during ButeFest, and the Bute Highland Games.
ButeFest
Sunday 28 July - 19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay will operate
Monday 29 July - 07:05 Rothesay - Wemyss Bay will operate
Bute Highland Games
Friday 23 August - 07:05 from Rothesay is cancelled. The 20:05 from Wemyss Bay will operate. 20:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay will operate
Saturday 24 August - 08:05 from Rothesay and 20:05 from Wemyss Bay will operate.
Sunday 25 August - 19:05 Wemyss Bay - Rothesay will operate
Monday 26 August - 07:05 from Rothesay will operate, 19:05 from Wemyss Bay will be cancelled.
Where can I find out more about this work?
Argyll & Bute Council has provided more information about this infrastructure work on their website.