IslayBlog.com -> 2008 ->
Sunday, 30/Nov/2008
Islay Ferry Terminals Then and Now
Time to improvise a bit: Yesterday I was looking for a picture I thought I had somewhere, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The previously mentioned treasure trove of Neil F King's fantastic picture collection on Flickr recently had a few more interesting Islay or Islay related additions: West Loch Tarbert pier and a long gone view of Port Ellen. I was hoping to post current picture for comparison, unfortunately I was only partly successful.
Let's start with the journey to Islay, not from Kennacraig, but from West Loch Tarbert Pier. The pier still exists (turn off the A83 opposite the West Loch Hotel), but is now only used by some fishing boats. Neil posted a picture of the Lochiel at West Loch Tarbert pier, before the terminal was moved further down the loch in the 1970s.
I thought I had a recent picture of the pier, but my search wasn't successful. The closest I can get is a ‘from’ instead of ‘of’ the pier, that's the one above. Probably not the view you'd want from an active ferry terminal...
However, I can do better with a view of the ferry terminal in Port Ellen on Islay, here is one from July 2008:
Neil posted a scan of the MV Lochnevis in Port Ellen (view Original size), I believe some time in the 1960s. The ferry is berthed parallel to the main pier, unlike the modern ro-ro ferries landing at the linkspan. Obviously no marina yet, which is a fairly recent addition. The Islay Hotel is still standing tall at the corner, the new hotel won't be as high, even once the roof is finished. The most obvious change though I think is the big square silo now towering over the pier and the village.
PS: Bonus picture of the MV Lochiel in Port Askaig, an older upload I came accross while browsing through Neil's pictures. A great activity on a dreich day like today, at least down here. If I can trust the Port Ellen weather observations it is much better on Islay again...
Advertising
Navigation
[Previous entry: "Nice Morning on Islay"] [Home] [Next entry: "Islay Blogging Roundup #57"]