How to book the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute) ferry
Direct Ferries currently shows no sailings to book on this route (checked 27 September 2026), so tickets come from CalMac itself: online, by phone or at the port, depending on the route. Source: www.calmac.co.uk, checked 2026-09-27.
The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute) ferry
Wemyss Bay to Rothesay is CalMac's short, frequent crossing to the Isle of Bute, taking around 35 minutes across the Firth of Clyde. It is one of the easiest island trips from Glasgow, leaving from Wemyss Bay's beautiful Victorian pier station, whose glass-roofed concourse links directly with trains from the city. The ferry carries cars, motorhomes, bikes and foot passengers, with many sailings a day, so it is well suited to day trips as well as longer stays. Rothesay is Bute's main town, a genteel old seaside resort with its grand promenade, the medieval Rothesay Castle and the famous restored Victorian toilets at the pier. The island is gentle and green, popular for cycling and walking, and the regular timetable makes coming and going easy throughout the day.
- Short, frequent crossing to the Isle of Bute in around 35 minutes
- Departs the beautiful Victorian pier station at Wemyss Bay
- Direct rail connections from Glasgow
- Rothesay is a classic Clyde seaside town with a medieval castle
Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute) ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult foot passenger, single | £4.35 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
| Adult foot passenger, return | £8.70 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
| Car, single (passengers charged separately) | £15.50 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
| Car, return (passengers charged separately) | £31.00 | 18 October 2026 | CalMac Summer 2026 fare table (valid from 27 March 2026) |
Fares change with date, demand and vehicle; these are figures we saw on the dates shown, not quotes. A booking fee may be added. Check live prices in the search above.
Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute) ferry times
| Direction | Sailings | Departs | Arrives | Crossing time | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay | 14 / day | 07:15, 08:05, 09:05, 10:05, 11:15, 12:15, 13:05, 14:05, 15:05, 16:05, 17:05, 18:05, 19:05, 20:05 | 07:50, 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:50, 12:50, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40, 17:40, 18:40, 19:40, 20:40 | 35 min | Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri |
| Rothesay to Wemyss Bay | 14 / day | 06:25, 07:05, 08:05, 09:05, 10:00, 11:00, 12:15, 13:05, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 | 07:00, 07:40, 08:40, 09:40, 10:35, 11:35, 12:50, 13:40, 14:35, 15:35, 16:35, 17:35, 18:35, 19:35 | 35 min | Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri |
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay | 10 / day | 07:15, 08:05, 09:05, 10:05, 11:15, 12:15, 14:05, 16:05, 18:05, 20:05 | 07:50, 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:50, 12:50, 14:40, 16:40, 18:40, 20:40 | 35 min | Wed |
| Rothesay to Wemyss Bay | 10 / day | 06:25, 07:05, 08:05, 09:05, 10:00, 11:00, 13:05, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00 | 07:00, 07:40, 08:40, 09:40, 10:35, 11:35, 13:40, 15:35, 17:35, 19:35 | 35 min | Wed |
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay | 13 / day | 08:05, 09:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 13:05, 14:05, 15:05, 16:05, 17:05, 18:05, 19:05, 20:05 | 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40, 17:40, 18:40, 19:40, 20:40 | 35 min | Sat |
| Rothesay to Wemyss Bay | 13 / day | 07:05, 08:05, 09:05, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 | 07:40, 08:40, 09:40, 10:35, 11:35, 12:35, 13:35, 14:35, 15:35, 16:35, 17:35, 18:35, 19:35 | 35 min | Sat |
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay | 11 / day | 09:05, 10:05, 11:05, 13:05, 14:05, 15:05, 16:05, 17:05, 18:05, 19:05, 20:05 | 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40, 17:40, 18:40, 19:40, 20:40 | 35 min | Sun |
| Rothesay to Wemyss Bay | 11 / day | 08:05, 09:05, 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 | 08:40, 09:40, 10:35, 12:35, 13:35, 14:35, 15:35, 16:35, 17:35, 18:35, 19:35 | 35 min | Sun |
Winter 2026/27 timetable from CalMac's PDF. Some sailings carry conditions (letter codes) in the PDF and Sunday services differ; check CalMac's timetable and service status before travelling.
Source: assets.calmac.co.uk, checked 18 October 2026. This timetable is valid from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027. Timetables change by season; the search shows the sailings for your date. Live status: calmac.co.uk.
Who sails Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute)
| Operator | Ships | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Pets | Check-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) | Argyle and Bute | 35 minutes | up to 14 / day each way (winter) | Yes | Allowed: 'pet in lounge' ticket (limited) or pet stays in the car; assistance dogs anywhere except play areas | vehicles 20 minutes before, foot passengers 10 minutes before |
Rules differ by operator and ship; confirm when you book. Sources: calmac.co.uk. Checked 18 October 2026.
What to know about the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute) crossing
Check-in
Vehicles must check in 20 minutes prior to departure; foot passengers 10 minutes prior to departure. (calmac.co.uk)
Foot passengers
Carried on every sailing. (calmac.co.uk)
Pets
Pets travel on a lead in designated areas or stay in the car. CalMac sells a 'pet in passenger lounge' ticket (limited numbers) or a 'pet remains in car' option (you cannot return to the car deck during the crossing). Assistance dogs are allowed in all public areas except children's play areas. (calmac.co.uk)
Bicycles
Pedal cycles free, single and return; groups of 6 or more must inform port office in advance. (calmac.co.uk)
Accessibility
SPT Ferry Card, Companion Card and Blue Badge concessions online; Passenger assistance page linked, no detail. Rothesay: 2 accessible parking spaces, accessible toilets. (calmac.co.uk)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Wemyss Bay ferry terminal
- Address
- Caledonian MacBrayne, Shore Road, Wemyss Bay, PA18 6AR.
- Facilities
- Free Wi-Fi, ticket office, waiting area, customer toilets; 2 EV points at bus stop and 2 at station car park.
Source: calmac.co.uk, checked 18 October 2026.
Rothesay ferry terminal
- Address
- Ferry Terminal, Rothesay, PA20 9AQ.
- Facilities
- Free Wi-Fi, ticket office, waiting area, coffee cabin, toilets, accessible toilets, baby changing, 2 EV points, defibrillator.
Source: calmac.co.uk, checked 18 October 2026.
Staying in or around Rothesay
Ports & operators on this route
Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (Bute) ferry — common questions
How long is Wemyss Bay to Rothesay?
Around 35 minutes across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Bute.
Who operates the Bute ferry?
CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne) runs the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay crossing.
Can I reach Wemyss Bay by train?
Yes — Wemyss Bay station, with its grand Victorian pier, connects directly with trains from Glasgow.
How much is the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry?
CalMac publishes a fixed fare table for this route (Summer 2026 table, valid from 27 March 2026): the adult foot-passenger single and the car single we saw on 18 October 2026 are in the fares table on this page, with the source. Passengers are charged separately from the vehicle, and the fare is the same whoever you book with.
What time is the first ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay in winter?
In the winter 2026/27 timetable the first weekday sailing from Wemyss Bay leaves at 07:15 (Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri). Times change by season and on some dates; check CalMac's timetable and service status before travelling.
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 18 October 2026. Operators change timetables, fares and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/route-information/wemyss-bay-rothesay
- assets.calmac.co.uk assets.calmac.co.uk/media/wb5jjpiy/wtt-03-wemyss-bay-rothesay-17th-july.pdf
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/ports/wemyss-bay-port/
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/ports/rothesay-port/
- calmac.co.uk www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/travel/travelling-with-pets/