Corran Ferry facts for kids
The Corran Ferry is a special boat that carries people and cars across Loch Linnhe in Scotland. It crosses the water at a narrow spot called the Corran Narrows, which is south of Fort William, Scotland. This ferry helps connect different parts of the Scottish Highlands.
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What is the Corran Ferry?
The Corran Ferry is run by the Highland Council. It's one of the few ferries left in mainland Scotland that carries vehicles on a regular schedule. The ferry crosses Loch Linnhe from a place called Nether Lochaber to Ardgour. This crossing is about 9 kilometres (6 miles) south of Fort William.
Years ago, there was a funny sign at the ferry. It said, "This is not the Ballachulish Ferry." This was to stop people from getting confused. There used to be another ferry nearby at Ballachulish that crossed Loch Leven. But a bridge, the Ballachulish Bridge, replaced that ferry in 1976.
Why is the Corran Ferry Important?
The ferry route follows an old path used by people who moved cattle long ago. Today, the Corran Ferry is super important. It connects the main A82 road (which goes to big towns like Inverness, Fort William, and Glasgow) with the Morvern and Ardnamurchan peninsulas. These areas are quite remote and hard to reach by road.
Using the ferry saves a lot of time. If you didn't use the ferry, driving between Ardgour and Corran would take over an hour longer! You would have to use the A861 and A830 roads, which go all the way around.
How Often Does the Ferry Run?
The Corran Ferry runs very often. Ferries usually leave every 20 to 30 minutes, seven days a week. If you are walking or cycling, you can travel for free! But if you bring a car or other vehicle, there is a charge. For example, a car costs about £10.00 (as of 2022).
From the Ardgour side, you can drive to other places. Lochaline is about 31 kilometres (19 miles) to the southwest. Kilchoan is about 44 kilometres (27 miles) to the west. From both Lochaline and Kilchoan, you can catch other Caledonian MacBrayne ferries. These ferries can take you to the Isle of Mull, to places like Fishnish and Tobermory.
Close to the Ardgour side of the ferry, you can see the Corran Lighthouse. There's also a place called the Ardgour Inn nearby.
The Ferries That Cross the Loch
People have used ferries at this spot for hundreds of years!
Past Ferries
In the 1930s, a ferry called the North Argyll worked on this route. It was a special "turntable ferry." This meant its deck could spin around. This made it easier for cars to drive on and off the boat.
Today's Ferries
The Maid of Glencoul was built in 1976. It first worked in a different part of Scotland, between Kylesku and Kylestrome. When the Kylesku Bridge opened in 1984, the Maid of Glencoul moved to the Corran route. Today, it serves as the backup ferry. This means it helps out when the main ferry needs repairs or is busy.
The main ferry today is called the MV Corran. It replaced an older ferry in late 2001. The Corran was built in Hull and cost about £2.9 million. It's a bigger ferry, which means it can carry more cars and people across the loch.
