Isle of Cumbrae

Throughout the 1970s the Ayrshire island of Great Cumbrae was served by two small bow-loading ferries; Largs and Coruisk. These were only capable of carrying at most six cars each and often required then assistance of a third ship (usually Kilbrannan or one of the other Island Class vessels as they became available). This situation continued over the years, with the queues at Largs and Cumbrae Slip growing year on year until a solution was reached in 1977.

Isle of Cumbrae was launched shortly before Christmas 1976 and entered regular service the following April. Her design was basically a scaled-down version of the Skye ferries Kyleakin and Lochalsh. Like them she was propelled by Voith Schneider units fore and aft, in diagonally opposite corners of her hull. She had three lane on her car deck, each capable of holding six cars, giving her a total capacity of 18. Her passenger accommodation was located down the length of the hull on her starboard side, above which sat her small wheelhouse. The loading method for both cars and passengers was via a ramp at either end of the car deck. Each ramp was folded in two sections, like those on the Island Class ferries. The main body of the ramp would be lowered whilst approaching the slipway and the forward section would be lowered once the vessel was actually in position on the concrete slipway.

After entering service in early April 1977 the Isle of Cumbrae quickly solved all the problems encountered previously with the smaller ferries. The crossing was only of ten minutes duration and with five minutes at each terminal she could complete two return sailings each hour.

She remained on the crossing from Largs until summer 1986. Initially at this time (from 4th July) she was paired with the new Loch Striven which could carry twelve cars and was of a similar design, but after exactly a month the Isle of Cumbrae was transferred to the Western Isles, effectively switching places with the new Loch Linnhe (the second of four identical sisters built for the company). Whilst the new twins took control of the Largs route the displaced Isle of Cumbrae took over the Fishnish – Lochaline crossing in the Sound of Mull. The previous long-term vessel here had been the Canna which of course could only carry six cars, so the arrival of the Isle of Cumbrae was a great improvement for the route as it meant that for the first time, commercial vehicles could be carried.

The new crossing was only 15 minutes in length and quickly proved popular, although on the return leg of the journey from Mull to Lochaline, passengers could be forgiven for being confused by the vessel swinging round and proceeding in what appeared to be reverse, the reason for this being the angle at which Lochaline slipway was set facing up the loch. It was simply easier for the ferry to turn at Fishnish than in the confines of Lochaline itself. Sailing from early morning to late evening in the high summer, Isle of Cumbrae could fit in a return sailing every 40 minutes, offering up to nearly 20 crossings each day.

Her introduction at Mull was a huge success. Drivers could turn up for any given sailing and be virtually guaranteed of a space on the ferry – unlike previously when many would see the Canna arrive and depart two or more times before finally being able to board. This new development meant that day trips to Mull from places such as Fort William and beyond were now possible, as were day trips to Inverness for the islanders, provided they were prepared for a full day out. During the winter timetable she would forsake Lochaline and venture north to the Kyle of Lochalsh to provide overhaul cover for the Skye ferries Kyleakin and Lochalsh (and later for Loch Dunvegan and Loch Fyne).

The former Cumbrae ferry lasted on the Lochaline crossing for a further decade before she began to leave vehicles behind. Previously, at busy periods such as the Mull Rally weekend, she would be assisted by the Coll or one of the other Island Class ships, however by 1997 it was clear that she needed replacing with an altogether larger ferry. The replacement duly arrived on the scene in July 1997 in the shape of the Loch Alainn, capable of taking 24 cars on her wide car deck.

The Isle of Cumbrae was soon found alternative employment however, and in a matter of days she was to be found in the Kyles of Bute having replaced Loch Riddon on the short crossing from Colintraive to Rhubodach on Bute. Here too she brought an increase in the number of cars that could be accommodated on each crossing – her predecessor taking a maximum of 12 on the three minutes sailing. She did of course end up venturing back to her original route from time to time on relief duties or at peak periods (either Loch Linnhe or Loch Riddon would switch places with her). Her period on the Kyles of Bute was relatively short though. She remained there for the 1998 season whilst a new pier was constructed at Colintraive and was subsequently replaced by the much larger Loch Dunvegan in early 1999.

Following this latest displacement, the Isle of Cumbrae was transferred to the now year-round Tarbert – Portavadie route across Loch Fyne, although she was only on this for the duration of the summer timetable. Winter would see her take up a relief role, covering on the Colintraive and Lochaline crossings for the larger Loch Dunvegan and Loch Fyne respectively. Her new role as summer vessel on the increasingly popular service across Loch Fyne has been a success – so much so that whereas in previous winters a smaller vessel (such as Loch Riddon) has kept the route open, from winter 2004/05 the 18-car Loch Tarbert would take over for the first few weeks of the winter timetable.

Isle of Cumbrae was ideally suited to serving Portavadie and fifteen years passed before further new tonnage appeared. 2014 saw the new hybrid Lochinvar enter service and the now veteran Isle of Cumbrae was assigned the role of small fleet relief vessel, a role which saw the occasional return to Largs and her original home. 2016 saw a return to daily service, for the Lochinvar had been transferred to the Western Isles and Isle of Cumbrae was brought out of semi-retirement and resumed service at Tarbert once more. Things continued this way, albeit with her car deck being remarked for two lanes of vehicles rather than three, so reducing her overall capacity. The summer of 2024 did see the veteran returning for extended periods to Largs, in tandem with Loch Tarbert or Loch Riddon , due to a lengthy spell of repairs required on Loch Shira.

With the departures of the wee Eigg and Raasay in early 2018, Isle of Cumbrae took on the distinction of being the oldest ferry in the fleet and at the time of writing (November 2024) it is looking hopeful that she will reach the milestone of 50 years in service before being replaced either directly by one of the forthcoming all-electric replacement small ferries (Loch Class 2.0?) or indirectly following a cascade of vessels displaced by these newcomers. Isle of Cumbrae has certainly stood the test of time and is popular with her crews proving to be a most reliable little ship in the 48 years she has been in active service to date - a testament to the technology of her day.