Commuter Link Cruise Loch Linnhe

Cruise Loch Linnhe Commuter Link

One of Loch Linnhe’s most distinctive features has to be the Corran Narrows. This extremely short stretch of water between Corran and Ardgour is usually crossed using the aptly named Corran Ferry which shuttles an impressive 270,000 vehicles per year between the two locations, making it the busiest single-vessel ferry crossing in Scotland!

The Corran Ferry service is a lot of things to a lot of people and businesses in the area, carrying commuters to and from Fort William, tourists en route to various locations on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and deliveries of all shapes and sizes destined for both businesses and the thousands of people living there!

Back in October 2022 the MV Corran (the services larger and primary vessel) went into the dry dock for its annual routine service and has since been suffering with critical issues to its propulsion system, leaving it out of commission. From October, when the MV Corran went in for maintenance, the service was being operated using their smaller back-up vessel, the MV Maid of Glencoul, until it also broke down in April 2023 requiring major repair. The crossing has been unavailable to motorists ever since causing a deal of inconvenience for both residents and visitors of the area.

Of course, as the name suggests, the Ardnamurchan Peninsula is a peninsula and not an island, so it is connected to the mainland by road, but even the fastest route almost doubles the journey time from Fort William to Ardgour compared to when the ferry is operational. The majority of the alternate route is also on single track roads which become easily congested with summer traffic so its really not ideal.

We knew we wanted to help so we got into talks with the Highland Council to arrange a commuter link running along Loch Linnhe between Ardgour and Fort William to give residents a simple and convenient route to Fort William for work, leisure and other local amenities.