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Things to do in western Scotland if you miss your ferry

15 May 2017

Racing across the Isle of Arran, Kintyre, Argyll, Bute and the Ayrshire coastline in one day, the Five Ferry Challenge takes in some of the best ferry-hopping scenery the west coast of Scotland has to offer.

50-odd miles of hard cycling will hurt but not as much as missing a ferry connection as two friends, Eilidh and Shirley, found out.

Oh no... we missed the ferry

The 5 Ferry Challenge

"this is by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life"

Luckily there's plenty to see and do if you happen to find yourself with a few hours to spare.

Wildlife watching in Arran

Commonly nicknamed “Scotland in miniature,” Arran has enough beautiful coastline, castles, and mountains to please anyone.

Find yourself with a few hours to kill? Why not go nature-watching.

Ruins with a view in Tarbert

A few hours to kill in the Argyll village of Tarbert?

If you can prise yourself from the harbour-side pubs, the view from the renovated castle gives excellent view over the village and beautiful Loch Fyne.

Popcorn and a film in Rothesay

Hard to believe but Rothesay’s 90-seat picture house played host to the first showing on British soil of Richard Attenborough's 1982 Oscar-winning film Gandhi.

Lay siege to Rothesay Castle

No stay on the Isle of Bute would be complete without a trip to Rothesay's imposing castle.

Built by the Stewarts, in its time it has survived Norse raiders, the Wars of Independence, and Oliver Cromwell's invading army.

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