Gourock - Dunoon: Replacement shuttle bus customer FAQs

Gourock-Dunoon 

A shuttle bus, operated by McGill’s Buses, will pick up Caledonian MacBrayne passengers at the Gourock CalMac Ferry Terminal (beside the ferry boarding point) and will transport you by road to Western Ferries at McInroy’s Point (journey time 5-10 minutes). 

Customers will be required to purchase a ticket onboard Western Ferries and can use their CalMac ticket to travel with us on a future date within the Summer or Winter season it was purchased.  View information on Turn Up and Go ticket validity.  

The Western Ferries McInroy’s Point-Hunter's Quay service takes approximately 20 minutes.  

On arrival at Hunter’s Quay, Dunoon, a separate shuttle bus, operated by West Coast Motors, will pick up CalMac passengers and take you by road to the Dunoon CalMac Ferry Terminal (journey time 5-10 minutes). 

Dunoon-Gourock 

A shuttle bus, operated by West Coast Motors, will pick up Caledonian MacBrayne passengers at the Dunoon CalMac Ferry Terminal (adjacent to the waiting room) and will transport you by road to Western Ferries at Hunter’s Quay (journey time 5-10 minutes). 

Customers will be required to purchase a ticket onboard Western Ferries and can use their CalMac ticket to travel with us on a future date within the Summer or Winter season it was purchased.  View information on Turn Up and Go ticket validity

The Western Ferries Hunter’s Quay-McInroy's Point service takes approximately 20 minutes.  

On arrival at McInroy’s Point, a separate shuttle bus, operated by McGill’s, will pick up CalMac passengers and take you by road to the Gourock CalMac Ferry Terminal (journey time 5-10 minutes). On request to the bus driver, the shuttle bus will also drop off at Gourock Train Station, if required. 

Shuttle bus services will depart from Gourock and Dunoon Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry Terminals as close to the published Caledonian MacBrayne timetable as possible, except for sailings after 21:00, or when otherwise advertised on our Service Status.  

As always, please check our Service Status page for up-to-date service information, especially during times of disruption.

In the event that both Caledonian MacBrayne Gourock-Dunoon and Western Ferries Hunter’s Quay-McInroy’s Points services are suspended simultaneously, Caledonian MacBrayne will be unable to offer alternative transport. This will be advised through our Service Status page. 

The shuttle bus service is free-of-charge however customers will be required to purchase a Western Ferries ticket to travel on their service.

Customers should retain their CalMac ticket to travel with us on a future date within the Summer or Winter season it was purchased.

 View information on Turn Up and Go ticket validity.

During a technical or operational disruption, customers are encouraged to utilise the CalMac-arranged complimentary shuttle bus, however reimbursement of a bus ticket from Gourock train station to McInroy’s Point will be considered.   

During a weather disruption, customers who choose not to make use of the CalMac-arranged shuttle bus service, and make their own way to either Western Ferries service, can do so at their own expense, however, they will not be entitled to reimbursement for their transport costs (including bus or taxi fares). 

No. Due to the limited availability of some late-evening Western Ferries connections, shuttle buses will not be available for some late-evening services.

For late-evening departures where shuttle buses are not provided, customers who choose to make their own way to either Western Ferries service, can do so at their own expense, however, they will not be entitled to reimbursement for their transport costs (including bus or taxi fares), or for Western Ferries tickets they purchase on board the Western Ferries service.

If you don't intend to travel with us again this season, then your ticket / purchase can be reviewed under our passenger rights process for a potential refund. The validity around Turn Up and Go route tickets means we don't provide refunds as the ticket can be used on another date in either the winter or summer season in which it was purchased. 

You can do this through our passenger rights process which you can find details of in our passenger rights section. 

Yes. Due to prevailing traffic conditions, and the requirement to align with the Western Ferries timetable, some delays may be expected to departure times from Gourock and Dunoon, and to pick-up times at both Western Ferries terminals.   

Overall journey times will be longer, and customers should bear this in mind when planning their journey.  

Delays may also be experienced whilst bus shuttles are being arranged, particularly:

• in the immediate period following the suspension of the Caledonian MacBrayne service. 

• in cases where the Western Ferries is resuming operation, having been suspended. 

Although every effort is made to limit disruption for customers, onward transport connections, e.g. by bus or train from Gourock or Dunoon, are never guaranteed. We, Caledonian MacBrayne, cannot accept any liability for any costs incurred due to missing connecting services including accommodation, or travel by bus, train, or taxi, including during times of service disruption.

As always, we will do everything we can to support passengers with their assistance needs. Should a customer require additional assistance or is unable to use the shuttle bus, they should speak with a member of staff at Caledonian MacBrayne Gourock or Dunoon Ferry Terminals who will arrange an appropriate alternative, wherever possible.  

Unfortunately, CalMac cannot guarantee that the shuttle bus will be operated by accessible vehicles – as this depends on availability. However, where further assistance is required, our team will assist you as much as we can. Please be advised, accessible vehicles are subject to availability and may result in a delay to your onward journey. Should a customer require additional assistance or is unable to use the shuttle bus, they should speak with a member of Caledonian MacBrayne staff or call us on 0800 066 5000. 

Where relevant, wheelchairs and other mobility aids, prams and pushchairs may be folded and stored in the luggage areas of the bus shuttle vehicles. 

It is useful to know what assistance you require before your journey so we can plan appropriately. Please visit our FAQ on assistance for advice about how you can contact us to request assistance. 

Unfortunately, Caledonian MacBrayne cannot guarantee that bicycles will be carried on shuttle bus services. Fold-up bicycles can be folded and stored in the luggage areas of the shuttle bus vehicles, subject to space being available. 

Our shuttle bus providers do allow pets to be carried on their vehicles. Please visit our Travelling with Pets section, for important information and advice about carriage of pets generally when travelling with us. 

In the unlikely event that a shuttle bus service cannot be provided, this will be advised through the Service Status page, where advice will also be provided for affected customers.

No. Caledonian MacBrayne operates a two-vessel timetable on the Gourock-Dunoon service. However, during annual overhaul periods, or when other operational, technical, or weather-related issues may occur, a reduced single-vessel timetable may be in operation.  

During periods of single-vessel timetable, alternative transport will not be provided for those departures which would normally operate during the normal two-vessel timetable, unless otherwise advertised.  

Where a single-vessel timetable is in operation for unforeseen reasons such as technical, operational, or weather issues, this will be advised through our Service Status page which carries the very latest details on the route, and via our @CalMac-Updates page on X, formerly known as Twitter.