The introduction of a drive-through ferry on the Claonaig - Lochranza crossing in 1987 was as a result of enormous demand by car-borne tourists. The LOCH RANZA coped well for five years on the back-door to Arran but in the early 1990s it was crystal clear that she did not have the necessary capacity to keep the queues at bay.

Arriving at Lochranza

The LOCH TARBERT was essentially a variant on ISLE OF CUMBRAE's design. She could carry 18 cars on her car deck, 150 passengers could be accommodated in her starboard lounge but also on her two outer decks. The port length of her hull boasted an extra outside deck above the first vehicle lane - a feature that was much appreciated by her passengers in summer!

The Lochranza crossing has always been a seasonal service, so at the end of September, and more latterly nearly the end of October she would come off the Arran run and assume other duties. For the first few winters the LOCH TARBERT would be seen covering at Fishnish, Colintraive and Cumbrae in addition to providing additional dangerous loads sailings from Largs to Lochranza as an alternative to the more expensive ISLE OF ARRAN and then CALEDONIAN ISLES having to perform extra sailings. From 1995 however the Largs - Lochranza winter sailings were no longer required due to the daily service from Tarbert to Arran using the winter Portavadie ship (usually one of the 'Baby Lochs').

Over the seasons the LOCH TARBERT has seen a general growth in traffic on the Kilbrannan Sound crossing, but perhaps her busiest period came during a seaman's strike in the new millennium which saw the CALEDONIAN ISLES rendered immobile. Traffic for Arran was diverted round via the ferry across Loch Fyne and then Claonaig. With the inevitable extra traffic the LOCH TARBERT was partnered by the ISLE OF CUMBRAE, of equal size and the two provided a shuttle service in an attempt to keep the queues to a minimum.

Each winter she still changed duties, covering for the ISLE OF CUBRAE at Lochaline, the LOCH LINNHE or LOCH STRIVEN at Largs and the LOCH RIDDON at Colintraive, but in early 1996 she ventured well away from her normal sphere of operations when she opened the new Otternish - Leverburgh route across the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. The reason for this was to keep the route open for the brand new LOCH BHRUSDA.

Lowering her stern ramp, having just arrived at Claonaig

Unloading at Claonaig

Relieving at Largs

Approaching Portavadie on winter duties

With her capacity of 18 cars the LOCH TARBERT operates on a route that is steadily growing in popularity. In summer she often sails full or very nearly full while in winter she is now too limited in capacity for the routes that she used to relieve on. While there is no doubt she works hard, providing nine return sailings a day to Kintyre and back, it wouldn't come as a huge surprise if she were replaced in the future and moved to a route where she could provide room for growth. After all, she has been at Lochranza for 15 years now - quite an achievement!