A ferry service has connected Cromarty and Nigg across the Cromarty Firth for centuries. It is known as the Route of Kings, as the monarchs of ancient times used it as the highway of the seas while on pilgrimage to visit the shrine of St Duthac at Tain. The establishment of the Nigg oil fabrication yard in the 1970s created an increased demand for a reliable ferry connection for workers commuting from Cromarty. It is also a popular tourist route through the Black Isle and an attractive option on the National Cycle Network.
Highland Ferries took over the Cromarty to Nigg seasonal route in Summer 2016, using the Renfrew Rose as a 2 car ferry, along with pedestrians and cyclists for a 10-minute crossing. This ferry was built by MacCrindle Shipbuilding of Ardrossan in 1984 for Strathclyde Regional Council. It was built to serve the Renfrew to Yoker ferry route across the River Clyde for 26 years, along with its sister vessel, the Yoker Swan. These were used primarily for pedestrians and cyclists, with the capability of loading an ambulance or other emergency vehicle if needed.
After being replaced by even smaller ferries from Clydelink, the Renfrew Rose, along with its sister vessel, the Yoker Swan, had been relocated to Ireland, operating the Burtonport to Arranmore island route in County Donegal, before the Renfrew Rose returned to Scotland
The Renfrew-Yoker ferry is another one of Scotland’s oldest crossings. It was a very busy car ferry from the 1950s until 1963 when the Clyde Tunnel opened to traffic a few miles upstream. The diesel-powered car ferry was able to haul its way across the Clyde by means of two static, parallel guide chains which ran through a series of gears on each side of the ferry. Each vessel could carry around 15 cars, and there were also well-established public transport connections on either side of the river for pedestrians.
Now once again, a pedestrian-only service, having been downsized in 1984 and again in 2010, it is about to be superseded by another new river crossing, which is due to open in 2024/5.
In March 2021, a contract to build a twin-leaf swing bridge for use by vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists was awarded by Renfrewshire Council to the civil engineering firm Graham.
The Renfrew Bridge will connect Renfrew with Clydebank and Yoker and open up work, health, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the Clyde.
In addition to the new bridge, the project will create additional connecting roads, bus, cycling and walking routes, which will link Inchinnan Road in Renfrew with Yoker Railway Station, using the new Renfrew North Development Road.
