Arran Ferry, Ardrossan - Ayrshire, UK
Posted by: 
martlakes
N 55° 38.402 W 004° 49.366
30U E 385270 N 6167523
Ardrossan is a small town in Scotland, south-west of Glasgow. The ferry to reach the Isle of Arran, which sits in the Firth of Clyde departs from here.
Waymark Code: WM3F0T
Location: Southern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/26/2008
Views: 88
The ferry to Arran is a regular service operating all year. It provides the primary link to the island for about 5000 residents. This is increased by many thousands of visitors each year. Arran provides similar walking/scrambling to the Cullin of Skye, but is much further south and therefore more accessible. The central hills are made from a huge granite intrusion. The layers of rock above were then worn away, and the granite eroded by glaciers to leave sharp jagged ridges.
Arran is also a popular place for geologists because it contains a wide range of different rock types. It was also the site where James Hutton developed his theories of geology which are the foundations of today's understanding.
The port of Ardrossan is well connected by main roads, but also rail. It's one of the few remaining ferry ports with a dedicated train service, from Glasgow, co-ordinated to arrive and depart with the ferry's sailings. Coupled with an excellent bus service on the island, it makes Arran a place that really is entirely accessible by public transport.
The sailing to Brodick takes about 55 minutes. A cafe serves meals and drinks, plus there is a small shop. The ferry, Caledonian Isles, is run by Caledonian MacBrayne or CalMac, who run the majority of ferry services on the west coast of Scotland. They provide Island Hopscotch tickets which give flexible travel around the different islands. Arran can be used to link to the Kintyre peninsula with the small ferry from Lochranza at the north end of the island.
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visit link)