The first few days of the fbb's stay at Largs have been fairly sedentary; due in part to old age and in part due to an unexpected return of a touch of plantar fasciitis. (Please look it up!) So there has been plenty of opportunity to watch the ferries coming and going between Largs and Great Cumbrae.
The out-of-date map above shows two routes; the present service in a straight line that runs to a slipway in the middle of nowhere whence it is a bus ride to Millport.
The traditional route to Millport Pier was at one time the only way to get to the Island. There was a proper pier with ticket booths and all the paraphernalia of ferry travel they way it always was.
Various "big boat" companies had Millport on their complex schedules ...
... and "going for a wee sail" was part of Glasgow life as illustrated by the crowds queueing at Largs Pier.
As the sixties became seventies all had changed and the car became the key passenger (with its people, of course) and the non-motorised day tripper became the minority. The new short-hop across the sea became the norm to the Cumbrae. These vessels have become bigger and bigger.
A classic service to Millport remained for a few years using the M V Keppel.
Acquired as a British Railways cast-off from the Tilbury to Gravesend run ...
... (where she was named "Rose"), this lovable little boat chuntered to and from Millport until retired in the early nineties. She now plies here trade from Malta, still as Keppel, under the very nautical name of Hornblower Cruises.
Even the much loved Waverley ...
... in its annual summer cruising programme can no longer call at Millport Pier which is now unsafe. To catch the Waverley you have to take a bus to the (in) appropriately named Keppel Pier ...
... former home to ...
... a further education establishment.
It is now a field studies centre. When fbb and Mrs last called, Arran-bound, at Millport Pier some years ago they were greeted by a pipe band and Scottish country dancers. No room for such delights at Keppel so it is just not the same; practical but lacking real nostalgia.
In 1973 the Caledonian ferry company absorbed the David MacBrayne company to form CalMac. A later development was in response to the perverse EU competition rules. This separated out the ownership of the ferries themselves and the port infrastructure from an "independent" operating company. Presumably this means that the operator (owned by The Scottish Government) rents the boats and terminals (owned by The Scottish Government) and then submits a tender to run the services to The Scottish Government.
Seems an excellent way to waste money and offer financial support to loads of lawyers.
Anyway, nothing has changed and Calmac produce an excellent summer and winter timetable booklet each year.
Some of the Calmac services are very complex. Those who enjoy unravelling timetables may like to spend a pleasant evening deciphering the "Small Isles" service from Mallaig ...
He failed!
By comparison, the service between Largs and Cumbrae is pitifully simple. But, even here, there were things of note, particularly over the Easter weekend - which we will explore tomorrow.
No 1 Son's Holiday Snaps
No 1 and family have just had a pleasant holiday at Staithes (map, top left).
... where they would have to reverse to cross the viaduct and, eventually, get to Scarborough.
Next Ferry blog :Thursday 25th April
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