#NewFerryRoute – A new ferry route linking Campeltown on the Mull of Kintyre peninsula and Ardrossan on the Firth of Clyde via the Isle of Arann started last month, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The introduction of the new service between Kintyre and Argyll is Caledonian MacBrayne's (CalMac) first new route in nearly 20 years.

The new service is to benefit both communities from a boost in tourism and trade opportunities according to Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Since the service started on 23 May, the route which is operating on a pilot basis to 28 September is running to three sailings weekly throughout the summer, with an en-route call to Brodick on the Isle of Arran on Saturday's.

The 3,296 tonnes Isle of Arran is running the new service and the veteran of the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet built in 1984 has a capacity for 659 passengers and 62 cars. For sailings timetable and more about the new route visit this link.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Campeltown is also served by another operator, Kintyre Express which two years ago started a passenger-only service to Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.

The route is only 50km /30 miles long and uses RIB craft which take 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the passage.