Your guide to travelling with us to ButeFest

Your journey to Bute  

We do expect our ferries to be busier than usual during Opens in new windowButeFest. Wait times at the port may be longer, so factor this into your plans.  

You can travel to Bute from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay or if you are travelling with a vehicle, you can also travel from Colintraive to Rhubodach.

Take a look at our pre-travel checklist below – an at a glance guide for travelling on our ferries.  

Information on sailings 

View sailing times for the Wemyss Bay – Rothesay route and Colintraive - Rhubodach route

And then check service status for any important information or updates for travel during Friday 25 - Sunday 27 July 2025.  

Download our app and save Wemyss Bay to Rothesay or Colintraive to Rhubodach as a favourite route to receive push notifications on updates for the service.  

For information on facilities available at our ports, please check our port pages.  

Tickets 

Not yet got your ticket?  

If you’ve still to purchase your ticket, save time by buying online in advance of travel.

Opens in new windowBuy tickets

Rail and Sail tickets for travel to Wemyss Bay?  

If you are planning to purchase a Rail and Sail ticket with ScotRail, when you arrive in Wemyss Bay by train, please proceed to the Caledonian MacBrayne ticket office prior to queuing for the ferry. You need to exchange the ferry coupon for an CalMac ticket. The Rail and Sail coupon is not a ticket for the ferry.

Already purchased your ticket?  

Great. You’re ready to sail. When you arrive at Wemyss Bay just have your QR ready to scan when you board the ferry.

Travelling in a group  

If you plan to travel in a group, and you have purchased your tickets online, the full party must travel on the same sailing. This applies to all legs of the journey.  

If you have yet to purchase your tickets, and you are unsure whether all group members will travel together, please make separate transactions so you are covered for all eventualities.  

Travelling by foot / bike 

• If you’re travelling as a foot passenger, you can check public transport connections via bus and train via the Opens in new windowJourneyPlanner.
• If travelling as a foot passenger but driving to Wemyss Bay, plan ahead on where you’ll leave your car. There are charges at car parks in Wemyss Bay and limited free parking.
• If you haven't already purchased your ticket online, you can buy tickets at our ticket office, located within the Wemyss Bay train station building.
• If you are travelling with your bike, you will board the ferry at our car lanes and can buy tickets at the ticket office located next to the car lanes.
• Consider the amount of luggage you plan to travel with - there is no luggage van operating on this route. You need to be able to carry your luggage on and off the ferry – so do plan around that. Also, there is limited space for storage of large suitcases/luggage trolleys on board the ferry.  

Travelling by vehicle  

Wemyss Bay (Post Code - PA18 6AR)

• When arriving at the Wemyss Bay port, follow the signage on the main road as you approach the ferry terminal and keep left as you turn in to join the car lanes.
• If you haven't already purchased your ticket online, you can buy tickets for your vehicle and passengers at our ticket office next to the car lanes.

Colintraive (Post Code - PA22 3AP)

• When arriving at the Colintraive port, follow the signage to the car lanes, then follow directions from our port team and crew when it is time to board the ferry.
• If you haven't already purchase your ticket online, our team will be at hand to sell you a ticket. 

For additional handy hints and tips to help you plan for arriving at the port, and embarkation onto the ferry, as a foot or bike passenger, or with a vehicle visit our pre-travel checklist.

Arriving in Bute 

When arriving into Rothesay –  

Vehicle passengers will disembark by following the directions of our crew when leaving the car deck and then following the signage to exit the port then on to Ettrick Bay for ButeFest.  

Foot passengers will disembark the ferry into the port office. From here you can then make your way into Rothesay town where buses (public transport) is available to take you round the island or to ButeFest. 

When arriving into Rhubodach - 

Follow the directions of our crew when leaving the car deck and then signage to Ettrick Bay for ButeFest.  

Enjoy your time in Bute and at ButeFest