Gourock to Dunoon - compare two ferry companies - which is best?

[@fhwolthuis]

Dunoon pier looks fantastic 😍

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Thanks as ever for your comment Frank. I remember using the pier in the old days, it was a grand way to arrive in Dunoon.

[@thesloaneranger1]

Western Ferries are a country mile ahead of CalMac these days.... back in the day, CalMac had the old streakers which had a bar and ran in most weathers; the "alleycat" that CalMac now run is awful on the best of days. The streakers were Juno, Saturn and Jupiter - and the reserve ship was the Pioneer, which ran in the really nasty weather. I still have strong memories of chasing my cider up and down the bar on the Pioneer one blustery November evening lol!
Western also have a reputation for always coming out in the middle of the night if an ambulance needs to transport an emergency case to hospital - something which people in Dunoon greatly appreciate.
As for Dunoon pier, *sighs*, its pretty far gone now, but at one time it even had a nightclub, which was great according to my husband! Another good storm or two and it will probably be demolished for "safety" reasons :(

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Thanks for your comment. I have fond memories of the streaker ferries, in particular the side-loading onto the car deck with some cars having to reverse into space. I was sad to see them go. Since then I have always used Wstern Ferries, I made a special effort to go CalMac for this film. I will probably do a film on the history of the route sometime in the future.