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We have some advice to aid in getting to the boats in a cost effective way and then list some of the common locations for the boats to be berthed and how to get there.
Note it may be possible for adults to share a lift .
Check the boat is where it is supposed to be
Especially if using public transport it is wise to check if weather, pontoon space etc. has prevented the boat getting to the correct berth, The boat would normally arrive sometime during the day before you join it. Your joining instructions will give you a contact number or you can ask the office during office hours.
Public transport
Rail, bus, booking tickets
To get started you can use Transport Direct or the Traveline Scotlandwebsites. Put in your start and endpoints and this will show a journey, linking bus and train together. They do not know all the routes or prices so it is worth going to the website of the transport operators to finally check and book.
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It can be easiest to go to a station for your tickets as the staff know the system and will suggest the best way to travel.
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You may be eligible for student discount or over 55 discount (for a guide to over 55 discount £18 return anywhere in Scotland click here) or over 60 discounts.
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The website gives the range of tickets for a train- from first class to Advanced Passenger Excursion tickets (APEX) which can be purchased up to the day before travel.
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Tickets are released 12 weeks before the travel date, cheaper tickets are limited in supply but some may be available the day before travel for trains at unpopular times.
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Look at off-peak trains for APEX tickets that can be as low as £10 per journey.
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If your journey means changing trains it is often much cheaper to book each leg separately.
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However cheap fares are limited to the train they are booked on- if your plans have to change the tickets cannot be used and there is no refund from the train company.
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You can pick up tickets, booked online, at some stations- you will need the booking reference and identification and/or the bank card used to book. This is useful if you are too late for them to be posted to you but use only the larger stations where staff are available.
For bus travel via Glasgow, discount tickets for the Megabus can be obtained if booked in advance. Scottish Citylink busses travel between a network of towns. Again advanced booked tickets are cheaper. Scottish Citylink website.
How to get to...
The following details how to get to the boat at various locations. Crew should arrive at the boat at the time given in the joining instructions. Do not arrive early as the sea staff will be busy preparing the boat for the voyage.
ABERDEEN
The same website has a map of the harbour.
By Train/Bus
The harbour is within walking distance from the train station, the bus station and also Union St. The boats could be berthed anywhere in the harbour but ideally it will be on the pontoon on the Southern end of Commercial Quay (near to the old fish market and next to the Eurolink berth). Look for the tall mast
By Car
See above regarding the location of the boat when it is in Aberdeen. Cars can be taken onto Commercial Quay, however they cannot be left there for extended periods of time. The closest car park is College St, but this can be expensive. It is recommended to park away from the city centre and take a bus/taxi to the harbour
BRAEHEAD
By Train/Bus
Take the train to Glasgow Queen St. Then there is a choice. In rush hour it may be better to get on the the underground and go to Govan. From there a bus can be taken to Braehead shopping centre. The bus number is 24A. Note that this leaves from Govan Rd and not from a stand at Govan bus station. If it is not rush hour a 23 bus can be taken from Renfield St or from Buchanan St Bus Station get the 747 to the airport which calls at Braehead. The boat will be on the pontoons which are accessible through the Clydebuilt Museum. The tall masts will be obvious
By Car Via Perth -Bridge of Allan -Cumbernauld-Glasgow
There is plenty of free parking at Braehead. There are signs saying 'no overnight parking' but the Shopping Centre security know about the boats and may ask that you park in the multistory if leaving the car for a few days.
GREENOCK - Victoria Harbour
The boat will be berthed in Victoria Harbour, which is opposite East Blackhall Street,
Greenock (PA15 1HD) (opposite the Fire Station)
The nearest train station is Greenock Central which connects to Glasgow Central. The
station is about 10mins walk from the harbour.
Trains: scotrail.co.uk
Bus: www.citylink.co.uk
OBAN (Kerrera)
By Train Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street -Oban
By Bus via Glasgow and also from Dundee/Perth
See http://www.travelinescotland.com/journeyplanner/enterJourneyPlan.do to plan your trip. To get from Oban to the boat see the instructions in the above. Citylink ( www.citylink.co.uk) operate the bus service between Glasgow and Oban, and also in summer a service from Dundee via Perth and Creiff (Bus number 973). The bus stops at the entrance to the railway station in Oban which is a short walk to the North Pier (see above).
By Car Via Dundee/Coupar Angus - Perth -Creiff -Loch Earn -Tyndrum
There is free parking in the public car park near the swimming pool. This is a short walk away from the North Pier. On the North Pier there is a pay and display which is unsuitable for any long stay parking. See the instructions above as to how to get to the boat.
KYLE OF LOCHALSH/KYLEKIN/PLOCKTON
By Train/Bus Indirect services via Inverness
At Kyle the boat should be berthed on the pontoon which is near the slipway of the old ferry. The bus stop is at the slipway, while the train station is near by.
If the weather is un-favouable for the boat to berth at Kyle, then the boat may be found at Kyleakin (across the water from Kyle).
If the boat is due to be at Plockton, you can get off the train at Plockton. Station The boat will be on a mooring but if near boarding time someone will be looking out and send the dingy
By Car
It is a long way from Aberdeen, but at least there is plenty of parking near the old ferry pier
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Travel to the boats from North East Scotland
