Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashCalMac Ferries
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- Crossing time
- About 35 minutes
- Operator
- 1
Checked against calmac.co.uk on 9 November 2026
The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry takes about 35 minutes with CalMac Ferries.
Planning a trip across to Rothesay on Bute? The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry is run by CalMac Ferries, and you can compare it on Ferryu.
The crossing time is 35 minutes. Sailings depart hourly and the route operates all year round, so it's easy to fit around your plans. Just check the timetable for exact sailing times.
- Crossing time of 35 minutes
- Departs hourly, check the timetable for exact sailing times
- Operates all year round
- Connecting rail services at Wemyss Bay
- Foot passengers should arrive at least 10 minutes before departure
At a glance
- Crossing
- About 35 minutes
- Wemyss Bay to Rothesay
- Crossing type
- Day crossing
- As CalMac Ferries describes it
- Arrives
- Rothesay (Bute)
- Scotland
Who sails this route
Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashSailing with CalMac Ferries
CalMac Ferries sail from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, with a crossing time of 35 minutes. The service departs hourly and operates all year round, though it's always worth checking the timetable for exact sailing times.
If you're travelling on a Wednesday, note that the winter 2026/2027 timetable includes fewer afternoon sailings to allow for planned vessel maintenance. Plan ahead so you're not caught out.
The summer 2027 timetable will run from 26 March to 17 October 2027. Book early for the best choice of sailings.
Before you travel
- Foot passengers should arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. Drivers should check CalMac's guidance on arrival times before setting off.
- There are connecting rail services at Wemyss Bay, which is handy if you're leaving the car at home.
- The ferry terminal at Rothesay is at PA20 9AQ.
Be sure to arrive in good time so you can board without a rush.
When you arrive in Rothesay
Ferry terminal at Rothesay, PA20 9AQ
Weather in Rothesay
- Warmest month: August, average high 17°C.
- Wettest month: December, about 162 mm of rain.
- Sea at its warmest in September, about 15°C.
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Show the numbers
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.6 | 4.6 | 160.8 | 8.8 |
| February | 7.6 | 4.3 | 125.9 | 8.1 |
| March | 8.5 | 4.9 | 108.5 | 8.3 |
| April | 10.4 | 6.2 | 84.1 | 9.4 |
| May | 13.0 | 8.4 | 80.3 | 11.9 |
| June | 15.1 | 11.0 | 86.2 | 13.1 |
| July | 16.6 | 12.8 | 99.6 | 13.8 |
| August | 16.8 | 12.9 | 119.2 | 14.7 |
| September | 15.3 | 11.5 | 112.7 | 14.9 |
| October | 12.7 | 9.2 | 162.2 | 13.6 |
| November | 10.0 | 6.7 | 159.5 | 12.2 |
| December | 8.1 | 4.8 | 162.4 | 10.6 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (10 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022.
Questions answered
How long is the ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay?
About 35 minutes, depending on the sailing.
35 minutes. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
How often does it sail?
The summer 2027 timetable will run from 26 March to 17 October 2027. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
On a Wednesday, the winter 2026/2027 timetable includes fewer afternoon sailings to allow for planned vessel maintenance. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
Departs hourly and operates all year round. (CalMac Ferries, calmac.co.uk)
Compare routes to Scotland
Who sails each route and how long the crossing takes.
| Route | Operator | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay This route | CalMac Ferries | About 35 minutes |
| Aberdeen to Kirkwall | NorthLink Ferries | – |
| Aberdeen to Lerwick | NorthLink Ferries | – |
| Ardrossan to Brodick | CalMac Ferries | About 55 minutes |
| Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope | Pentland Ferries | – |
| Largs to Cumbrae | CalMac Ferries | – |
| Mallaig to Armadale | CalMac Ferries | About 45 minutes |
| Oban to Castlebay | CalMac Ferries | About 5 hours |
| Oban to Craignure | CalMac Ferries | About 45 minutes |
| Scrabster to Stromness | NorthLink Ferries | About 90 minutes |
| Uig to Lochmaddy | CalMac Ferries | About 105 minutes |
| Uig to Tarbert | CalMac Ferries | About 100 minutes |
| Ullapool to Stornoway | CalMac Ferries | About 2½ hours |
