Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is reminding customers intending to travel to Tarbert in Argyll or onwards to Islay over the Bank Holiday weekend that the route to relaxation is through Bute and the Tarbert/Portavadie service.

Customers may be aware that one of the access points for the Kintyre peninsula, through the Gourock/Dunoon service, has been unfortunately reduced to passenger-only as the pier at Dunoon has been closed to vehicular traffic by Argyll&Bute Council. That position will remain for the foreseeable future.

This coming weekend could be one of the busiest of the season on the Kintyre peninsula with Bank Holiday traffic due between Friday and Monday. The Bell Lawrie Yacht weekend from May 22-27 will also attract hundreds of yachtsmen and women to the area.

Fay Harris, Route Manager at Kennacraig said: “It is worth bearing in mind that if you are travelling to Tarbert or onwards to Islay, the access through Wemyss Bay and Rothesay through Bute and then on to Tarbert/Portavadie offers a much more relaxing  route than driving round Loch Lomondside and avoids traffic bottlenecks such as the Erskine Bridge. It is a beautiful route and can also be accessed through Arran for anyone wishing to make that particular detour.  The route we are suggesting offers a much more acceptable alternative in terms of less driving and the scenery is fabulous. And the closer you get to Kennacraig, the more beautiful it becomes!”

Caledonian MacBrayne regrets the inconvenience caused to customers due to the closure of Dunoon pier to vehicular access. The passenger only service between Gourock and Dunoon will be maintained by CalMac for the foreseeable future.