Creran Ferry - There were crossings along the shores of Loch Creran at different places through the years : South Shian, Rhugarbh and Creagan
- 1767
- Geographical collections relating to Scotland made by Walter Macfarlane by Macfarlane, Walter, d. 1767; Mitchell, Arthur, Sir, 1826-1909, ed; Clark, James Toshach, joint ed Page 154 Ferry of Sion (Shian Ferry) between Beandirloch and the Appin.
Etive Ferries -
- Connel Ferry - There was a crossing of Loch Etive at Connel; with the inns of Lochnell Arms and Dunstaffnage Arms providing cover and sustenance while waiting for the ferry.
- Loch Etive Ferry - And there was a ferry that served the whole Loch Etive and Glen Etive community from Achnacloich right up to the head of the loch at Dalness
- Dorothy Wordsworth description of the ferries is epic https://archive.org/details/journalsofdoroth014922mbp/page/n51/mode/2up
There is also a wonderful description of the Ex Queen of France crossing the Falls in July 1851
Boat used as ferry is a Shallop
Boats on Loch Etive https://www.dalmadan.com/?p=6055
- Steamer Glen Etive
- Ossian
- Darthula
- Bonawe Ferry : There was a crossing at Bonawe, from Eilean Duirinnis and another across the River Awe which was known as the "Penny Ferry".
1900s ferries 1937-1966
- Deirdre - Bonawe ferry (Gardners) followed by
- Dhuirnish - left for Bute after the Bridge became a road bridge
- https://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/ships-1/Dhuirnish
A study of other ferries in the area confirms that mortared cottages almost identical to those in Port Appin, and in identical situations, are still to be found at two of these. The one on the south side of the abandoned Rugarve ferry over Loch Creran can also be dated to between about 1750 and 1770 from historical evidence. Also at Rugarve, on the north side, are the remains of a more primitive thatched drystone cottage, probably an early ferry house, which is smaller than the others and lacks hearths with chimneys.
““New Highland Route.—To the energy and public spirit of Mr D. Campbell, postmaster, Oban, the tourist and pleasure hunter must feel deeply indebted for rendering of easy access the picturesque mountain scenery on both sides of Loch Etive. The steamer Benstarra, formerly the Morvane, the property of Mr Campbell, left Oban on Saturday on her trial trip for the head of Loch Etive with a considerable complement of passengers. The Benstarra is chartered to carry a hundred passengers, and her cabin and deck accommodation are in every respect fitted to administer to the comforts of passengers. Conspicuous among the places of historical interest by the way are the venerable ruins of Dunolly and Dunstaffnage Castles, Berigorium—said to have been the ancient capital of Scotland—the Falls of Connel—better known in Ossianic lore as the Falls of Lora—and the ivy-mantled Priory of Ardchattan. Nowhere can a better view be obtained of the snow-capped Bencruachan than from the deck of the Benstarra as she steams along the lower part of Loch Etive. At the little village of Bonawe the tourist, if so disposed, can break the journey, spend the remainder of the day in the gentle sport of angling on the River Awe, and join the steamer next day for the upper end of the loch. The scenery of this part of the loch, which has been so graphically described by Christopher North and others of more recent date, is romantic in the extreme. From the village of Bonawe to the head of the loch is a distance of twelve miles, the whole length from the opening, at Dunstaffnage Castle, being twenty-four miles. Passengers intending to pursue their journey through are landed at the head of the loch, and thence conveyed by coach to King’s House, at the head of Glencoe, where they may have the option either to join the coach going through Glencoe in connection with the Messrs Hutcheson’s steamer at Ballachulish, or of taking that in connection with the railway for Tyndrum. The Benstarra commenced her regular trip yesterday.”—Glasgow Herald, July 10, 1877.1
