MV ''Eilean Dhiura'' is a vehicle ferry operating across the

Sound of Islay The Sound of Islay ( gd, Caol Ìle) is a narrow strait between the islands of Islay and Jura off the west coast of Scotland. It is about in extent from north to south and lies between Rubh' a' Mhàil on Islay and Rubh' Aird na Sgitheich on Jura ...

History

''Eilean Dhiura'' was commissioned by

Argyll and Bute Council Argyll and Bute ( sco, Argyll an Buit; gd, Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòd, ) is one of 32 unitary authority council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant fo ...

in 1998, to replace

Western Ferries Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd (also known as Western Ferries) is a private ferry company with its headquarters in Hunters Quay, Scotland. It currently operates on the Firth of Clyde running a year-round, high-frequency vehicle carrying service be ...

as the Jura Ferry. She was operated initially by

Serco Denholm Serco Marine Services is a Private Finance Initiative contract, with Serco Group, to deliver auxiliary services to His Majesty's Naval Service (incl. Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary). Marine Services primarily operates ...

until 2003, now by ASP Ship Management Ltd. In December 2000, her bow ramp collapsed while at sea. Following this, the MCA required a secondary door to be fitted behind the bow door. A bid by the council for money to replace her was unsuccessful. A new bow ramp was fitted in 2002.

Layout

''Eilean Dhiura'' is an open

landing craft Landing craft are small and medium seagoing watercraft, such as boats and barges, used to convey a landing force (infantry and vehicles) from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. The term excludes landing ships, which are larger. Pr ...

type ferry, with bow and stern ramps. Her slim bridge allows vehicles to drive through. A small enclosed cabin provides shelter for passengers as does a bus shelter forward of the wheelhouse.

Service

''Eilean Dhiura'' is the

Feolin Ferry Feolin (also known as Feolin Ferry) is a slipway on the west coast of Jura. provides a vehicle and passenger ferry service from Port Askaig on Islay across the Sound of Islay The Sound of Islay ( gd, Caol Ìle) is a narrow strait between th ...

, providing the main access to Jura. Islay is connected to the Scottish mainland by a

Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne ( gd, Caledonian Mac a' Bhriuthainn), usually shortened to CalMac, is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west ...

ferry from

Kennacraig Kennacraig () is a hamlet situated on West Loch Tarbert, a south west of Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula, Argyll and Bute, in the west of Scotland. Ferry terminal Caledonian MacBrayne ferries sail from the terminal, on the rocky islet Eil ...

. Daily, she crosses the between

Port Askaig Port Askaig ( gd, Port Asgaig) is a port village on the east coast of the island of Islay, in Scotland. The village lies on the Sound of Islay (Caol Ìle) across from Jura. Economy Port Askaig has a hotel, a petrol station and shop next to the ...

Islay Islay ( ; gd, Ìle, sco, Ila) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll just south west of Jura, Scotland, Jura and around north of the Northern Irish coast. The isl ...

and

Feolin Feolin (also known as Feolin Ferry) is a slipway on the west coast of Jura. provides a vehicle and passenger ferry service from Port Askaig on Islay across the Sound of Islay The Sound of Islay ( gd, Caol Ìle) is a narrow strait between th ...

. During her overhaul, early in the year, the service is provided by a chartered vessel, commonly CalMac's or since 2007 belonging to Inverlussa Shellfish Ltd of Mull or more recently the Spanish John II.

References

External links

Council ferry website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eilean Dhiura Ferries of Scotland 1998 ships Jura, Scotland