Exploring cultures and communities – the slow way

Kintyre Express, the shipping offshoot of Scottish bus company West Coast Motors, has an ambitious plan to create a new fast ferry link between the Mull of Kintyre and the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. We take a closer look.

article summary —

The news in February 2011 that there is to be a new passenger shipping link between the Mull of Kinytre (in western Scotland) and Northern Ireland is certainly very welcome. Kintyre Express already have experience with a fast ferry link between Troon on the Ayrshire coast and Kintyre, where a 75-minute boat journey is a credible alternative to a three to four hour drive by road. Now the company is expanding its horizons with a new link from Campbeltown to Ballycastle, a 90-minute crossing that will deliver passengers directly to a very beautiful stretch of the Antrim coast.

Don’t expect cruise ferry comforts on these Kintyre Express routes, for the services are operated by fast Redbay RIBs topped off with a heated cabin. Passengers wear lifejackets at all times, so this is sea travel for travellers who are looking for something more adventurous than a traditional cross-Channel ferry. Kintyre Express’ 2011 season kicks off on 1 April with the Campbeltown to Troon route. Campbeltown to Ballycastle starts on 27 May. Both services are scheduled to run through till late September. One-way fares are from £30 (about €35).


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About the authors

hidden europe

and manage hidden europe, a Berlin-based editorial bureau that supplies text and images to media across Europe. Together they edit hidden europe magazine. Nicky and Susanne are dedicated slow travellers. They delight in discovering the exotic in the everyday.

This article was published in hidden europe 33.