Who knew a ferry could be so awesome?!…read more Ok, so I really loved the ferry. A lot. Too much? For a 33 year old woman, yeh, I probably did enjoy it too much but it's the small things in life, right? We got the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick and back again for a long weekend away. Booking online was pretty simple - we were taking the car, so booking in advance is recommended. It was about £50 return for two passengers and the car which I thought was reasonable. We were on the 12.30pm sailing and you need to arrive 30 minutes beforehand and park your car in the loading area. I assume if you're not there, they'll give you spot to someone who's waiting in the unbooked area so get there early! Once you check-in, you can park your car and go into the terminal building for the loo/a cup of tea/a comfy seat/snack, or you can just sit in your car. Once the ferry arrives, you need to get back in your car and they'll load you on. I found this part SO stressful as I am such a worrier but it is really simple and there's staff to show you were to go. We were parked on the mezzanine level and they'll wave you forward into position, then you can get out and go onto the passenger levels of the ferry. On board, there's a proper canteen doing food which is way better than I expected. I had the special of the day which was some kind of fish served mornay style, and it was lovely. I was impressed with their commitment to Scottish produce and they seemed really proud to show that off which was nice. There's loads of seating as well as a special area for dogs (which is obviously where I wanted to sit, but husband-with-allergies wasn't so keen). I liked the upstairs observation lounge most of all, as there's comfy couch-style seating and a nice view if the weather is nice. There's an announcement to tell you when to go back to your car to get ready to disembark and again, the staff will tell you what to do. As I mentioned, we were parked on the mezzanine level and I totally freaked out as this was lowered down so we could drive off the ferry - it was a pretty nerve-wracking experience but then I am a bit of a stress head so normal people probably wouldn't have an issue with this. And that's it - you simply drive off the ferry and on your merry way! It's amazing! So yep, I was really impressed with the ferry and this made me super keen to explore more of Scotland now that I know how simple it is. It really did make it feel like we'd gone really far away for a holiday, even though we were still quite close to home.

My ferry experiences to date have included only the largs to millport ferry so I was a little but…read moreexcited to be going over to Arran on a proper Ferry!! We booked our tickets online which is vital as we were getting the last ferry home and this is often fully booked so dont turn up last minute! Going over we were driven onto the mezzanine level and i can sympathise with Briony on this one. Thankfully my bf was driving so i let him navigate this one! Since it was a beautiful day we sat outside during the 55 min crossing and took in the views. I love that they have little pet areas for the doggies to congregate. The canteen sells really reasonably priced food and there is a littke coffee shop and gift shop on board also. The staff announce over tannoy when its time to go back into your cars to departe and its all a very smooth process. Im looking forward to my next ferry trip!

Very easy cheap what to get in between Largs and Millport…read more Can take car or be a walk-in passenger

The Cal Mac ferries are great for getting around Scotland, as they keep the mainland connected with…read morethe islands and more remote places in Argyll and the like. They service the west coast and like clockwork there are certain routes situated in certain places. In Largs, the Cal Mac ferry will take you to Cumbrae. It's a short trip, and so is unlikely to make you seasick. For tourists, Cumbrae is small but a must see as you get a great alternative view of the west coast from its shoreline and it is a great place to cycle round because of its compact attributes. It's a good idea for a day trip if you're staying in Largs for a few days and fancy doing something different. I would recommend ticking Millport off the list as even though it's small it's pretty and quaint, with lots of great wee tea rooms. When the Cal Mac ferry takes you to Cumbrae for under a fiver return as a foot passenger, it's on the list for something you should do while in Largs. Blink and you'll miss the ferry ride but it's always fun to savour the time you get on deck as the views in this region, even on a rainy day, are something else.

Super easy getting to Islay…read more Staff were friendly and helpful, especially the ladies at the terminal. Kind of remote site. But easy to find and navigate. The ship, Isle of Arran was ready and on time. It was clean and the staff were nice and efficient. Smooth ride all the way to Islay. This was our 5th port -Ullapool -Stornoway -Tarbert -Uig -Kennacraig. All friendly. This was the smallest so far but easy to use.

I've been using this ferry service all my life to get to Islay, I could count on one hand the…read morenumber of times I've flown. Taking the ferry is part of the experience and I'd encourage anyone to take this option as the view of the island as you arrive is magical. This terminal is small but they have made some updates including a booth dishing out tickets booked online and directing traffic into the right lanes for driving onto the ferry. The little office is full of maps and a few souvenirs and more importantly a bathroom. Hang out in your car while you wait for the ferry to dock, then drive on when instructed. Simple. It was hella choppy the day we went (mid December), but I'd still rather sail than fly.

Just a great way to travel to Islay. The main cabin incudes a couple of floors and even a quiet…read moreroom for those hoping to catch a nap. Also, there is outdoor seating. In addition to the main cafeteria, there is a small café/gift shop. Just be sure to arrive before check-in closes otherwise you will miss out.

I have used this port/ferry service several whilst traveling to Islay for work and it has always…read morebeen a simple process from booking to boarding. Generally I am on the same two vessels, MV Finlaggan and MV Isle of Arran. MV Finlaggan is pleasant inside with a modern and spacious feel, the canteen area has plenty of seating space. MV Isle of Arran is an older ship and you can tell as soon as you get inside, although spotlessly clean, everything is just beginning to look a bit tired. That being said, the crews are always pleasant and helpful, the ships are always clean and tidy and there is always a good meal to be had. The coffee shop is also a welcome bonus. I enjoyed MV Finlaggans seating area with the large, high backed seats allowing me some comfort and privacy while watching a film to pass the time that the older vessel lacks. All in all, no real complaints and always a welcome and appreciated service.

Renfrew to yoker on a boat in the Clyde! if that's not mental enough let's get rid of the old boat…read moreand stick in it's place a thing that looks and feels as safe as one of the top gear inventions! But I do have a soft spot for this boat! Mainly because I can see it bobbing across the Clyde day and night from my flat window, it's so cute i nearly named it! Iv only been on it twice on nice summers day just to go a walk (in yoker yes I know what I just said but there's nice views along the Clyde) however £1.60 each way is a hefty price when the bus is cheaper, but I guess it's an expensive wee thing to run but we couldn't let it go!

A classic West journey, the Yoker to Renfrew ferry, a distance which stretches just 200 metres,…read morewill cease to exist in just a few weeks time. SPT opted to end the service in March 2010 as part of budget cuts. As such, if you've never done it before why not get yourself along for one last shot on a route which has been in existence for over 200 years. OK, so it's not life changing, but it is kind of cool and something which will be sorely missed by those who enjoyed the experience of floating along the Clyde while out doing their shopping. The service is set to be replaced by a bus which can go through the water. Also kind of cool, but I'll miss the ferry.

Terrible experience! Booked two months in advance. And from California to take my 94 year old…read morefather to Mull and other islands, informed ferry to Mull from Oban was cancelled one day before leaving for our 4 day trip! NO OTHER FERRYS AVAILABLE THE WHOLE TIME WE ARE THERE TO GO TO MULL! Informed nothing could be done and I couldn't speak to a supervisor as they would only tell me the same thing! I should have listened to the online reviews about this Co which overall were dreadful! Totally Untrustworthy and appalling!

Got ferry to Rothesay from here. Would advise booking and printing off tickets in advance as you…read morecan't buy tickets on board and having to dash to the ticket office, meant I missed the ferry which was in and had to wait an hour for the next one. £32.50 for a car and £8.10 for driver return which is a bit steep to go the short trip to Rothesay but this is a return valid for five days. It is cheaper to go as a foot passenger (£8.10) but there was limited parking (no spaces) for me to leave the car and a car is recommended for exploring Rothesay. Service appears to be hourly and leaves on time - only a 30 minute crossing with an on-board shop with which to get snacks, coffee's and newspapers.

I was very interested to see the new pier when I visited Largs again recently - well, it was new to…read moreme although it was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne in 2009. It's wider and longer with the same 'L' shape of the previous pier but could have been made a lot more attractive I think, especially as it cost £6m!! Actually it's not a pier at all, just a stone jetty. To be a pier, it should have a deck laid on wooden or metal 'piers'. Maybe I'm being overly pedantic though! From here you can take the ferry across to the island of Cumbrae (which we also did last month) and there are occasional special day trips on the paddle steamer Waverley. It's also nice just to have a walk to the end of the 'pier' to see great views of Largs. Fishing and swimming from the pier are not permitted.

Looked up the price of this ferry then got on and it was 60% more in person than having a ticket…read moreshipped to you. We were told the only way to get the lower price was to disembark and drive several miles to a local shop that only takes cash. Wasted our time and fuel as well as the ferry operators time, and surely the shop takes a cut as well. Stop shooting yourselves and your customers in the foot.

Reliable & Regular with a fairly quick journey too. Considering the route id Scottish Government…read moresubsidised, the price is extortionate though.