appletree bed and breakfast guest house accommodation (Prestwick / Ayr)

Five Ferries

The five ferries trip takes you through some of the best scenery in Scotland, that's my opinion which might be biased as this is my local area.  The five ferries gets its name form the fact that the circular route is completed by travelling on five Caledonian MacBrayne ferries which take you from the Scottish mainland to Arran to the Kintyre Peninsula to the Cowal Peninsula to Bute and then back to the mainland.  The round trip from Prestwick is around 130 KM and can easily be completed in one day by car.  By bike the trip can be completed in one day although two days would be easier.  I normally travel by cycle and usually use the train to travel from Prestwick to Ardrossan and back from Largs to Prestwick, this reduces the cycling distance to approx. 100 KM.

For me the five ferries trip is unique, the combination of mainland island ferries and amazing scenery is difficult to find anywhere in Scotland.  Although the route is predominantly through the countryside there are many places to stop and many tourist attractions to visit on the way.  The roads are very quiet and this adds to the overall enjoyment of the trip.  The cost ferry tickets for a car and four occupants is approx. £87 and for a cycle as a foot passenger costs approx.£18.  The return train journey costs about £7.

The trip starts at Ardrossan where you board the Calmac ferry to Brodick on Arran.  This takes about 60 minutes and is ideally timed for a leisurely breakfast, the bolder among you may indulge in some alcoholic indulgence as the bar on the ferry bar is open at for service whenever it leaves port 7:00.  Arran is a small island and although only 20 KM from the mainland it is a completely different place where life it lived at a much more leisurely pace than on the mainland.  Brodick is the largest town the island and is a good place to stock up on food.  For those travelling by car there is the option to travel round the island (80 KM) before taking the ferry from Lochranza to Cloanaig.  The cyclists will almost always head straight to Lochranza (24 KM).  On the way to Lochranza you will pass Brodick Castle, Arran Distillery and Lochranza Castle.  The route takes you through several coastal settlements which are worthy of a stop.  It is possible to purchase food and beverages from a cafe stall across the road from the ferry terminal at Lochranza.  Also keep a lookout for the seals who often disguise themselves as rocks.

The ferry from Lochranza to Cloanaig takes about 30 minutes.  Cloanaig is simply a ferry port with no shops etc.  By car it is an option to travel south towards the Mull of Kintyre and Campbelltown and then north again to Tarbert.  Again the cyclists will take the direct route to Tarbert (16 KM).  Tarbert in an old fishing town and is full of character, there are a number of art galleries who sell a wide range of local arts and crafts at reasonable prices.  There  are also several places to eat, there is a particularly nice place overlooking the harbour and marina.  Tarbert is also a good place to stay overnight, several B&B are located around the harbour and the pubs have a reputation for being lively and full of characters in the evening.

From Tarbert you take the ferry to Portavadie and then you have the option of heading east to Tignabruaich or heading north up the Cowal Peninsula.  The direct route to Tignabruaich  is about 18 KM.  From Tignabruaich you head north to Glendaruel and then onwards to Colintraive (23 KM), be sure to stop at the vantage point overlooking the Kyles of Bute.  On a good day the view is amazing.  Small yachts are always to be seen navigating through the Kyles and if your lucky you may see the Paddle Steamer Waverly navigating the narrow channel at a frightening speed.

The ferry from Colintraive to only takes a few minutes. There is a hotel just to the east of the ferry terminal which serves an amazing selection of food.  The prices are very reasonable and the quality and presentation is excellent.  Unusually for such places the staff are very friendly.

Rhubodach to Rothesay is only 13 Km and is all on the flat unlike the previous legs of the journey.  Rothesay is the main town on Bute and is worth a look around.   Rothesay has well preserved but ruined castle in the town centre.  Mount Stewart is the home of the Marquis of Bute and is open to the public.  I have never been there but apparently its worth a visit.  The pubs around the marina in the town centre offer good value food, the Black Bull is highly recommended.

Rothesay to Weymss Bay takes about 45 minutes on the ferry.  Weymss Bay to Largs is about 12 Km and again is on the flat.  Largs is a traditional Clyde seaside resort and has much character and atmosphere.  The Viking museum on the way into the town is worth a visit, the last Viking battle was fought in Largs so the local can claim that there ancestors were the ones to finally show our Scandinavian friends the way home.  Largs is also the home of Nardinis ice cream its the best ice cream in the town but nowhere near as good as Zavaronis in Rothesay or Mancinis in Ayr New Road.

A poster for the five ferries trip, including ferry times and distances can be download by clicking here

New Lanark

On route to New Lanark why not visit Loudoun Hill which is at the eastern end of the Irvine Valley and has fantastic views over the Ayrshire country side and beyond to the Firth of Clyde and Arran. The hill has witnessed the passage of history from the earliest times. An iron-age homestead is located at the foot of the south-east slope. Sir William Wallace defeated an English force at Loudoun Hill in 1296 and King Robert the Bruce inflicted greater punishment on the English in 1307. A large Conventicle (outdoor religious service) held in the vicinity in 1679 led on to the humiliation of Claverhouse by the covenanters at the battle of Drumclog. See East Ayrshire tourist website for full details. Loudoun Hill

NEW LANARK – WORLD HERITAGE SITE - Award winning Visitor Centre. Beautifully restored 18th century cotton mill village nestled in the spectacular south Lanarkshire valley in southern Scotland, close to the Falls of Clyde and less than an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow

Discover the fascinating history of New Lanark and Robert Owen in our award-winning Visitor Centre, open every day from 11am to 5pm October to March, and 10.00am to 5pm April to September (closed 25 December and 1 January only).  As you wander around the village it is easy to imagine how people lived and worked in Owen's time, and you can explore all the attractions in the Visitor Centre with just one passport ticket. Adult £6.95, Child/Concession £5.95, plus there are some great-value family tickets available too - from just £21.95 for a family of four.  New Lanark website

Before travelling back to Prestwick visit the historical borders town of Biggar. Full details of this historical town can be found here Undiscovered Scotland - Biggar

Have lunch or dinner at the Mill Inn Coulter Mill Inn Coulter fantastic local produce cooked to perfection. The old Mill has been restored and is now a very nice place to enjoy your meal.