skip to content

Renfrew-Yoker Ferry

Final voyage for SPT's Renfrew to Yoker ferry, and a new beginning with Clydelink.

Out with the old, in with the new

March 31, 2010 16:05 UKAudio/Video

SPT's Renfrew to Yoker Ferry sailed for the last time today, Wednesday 31 March, 2010.

On board the Renfrew Rose for the commemorative final voyage at 12.30pm were 50 invited guests from communities in Yoker and Renfrew and politicians.

There was a special welcome for the oldest passenger - 93 year old Renfrew man Alex Morrison who has used the ferry all his days. Another regular user who got a warm welcome was Tilly Kerr aka Granny Ferry.

The weather turned out better than expected although there was a keen wind. The commemorative sailing took passengers doon the watter as far as Clydebank College and upstream to the BAE Systems shipyard.

Commercial operator Silvers Marine is poised to take the service over officially from tomorrow. However, the Clydelink ferry of Silvers Marine will be operating this afternoon to ensure there is no gap in service to passengers.

Timetable and fares information is available from the Clydelink website.

The changeover between SPT and Silvers Marine will save SPT, and taxpayers, about half a million pounds a year.

SPT Chairman Jonathan Findlay said: "The Renfrew-Yoker Ferry has served communities on either side of the river for a very long time and we were always keen to make sure the link was maintained. Unfortunately, SPT's subsidised service was simply unsustainable. But we now have a commercial operator who promises to provide an excellent service."

"This is win-win all round. The ferry link is being maintained but at significant savings to the taxpayer."

He added: "I would like to thank those who have travelled and those who have worked on our ferry service down the years and wish Silvers Marine all the best for the future."

Charge hand and boat master, John Malinowski, who took the helm for the first sailing of the then new-look ferry in 1984, was in command on the Renfrew Rose's last journey. In his time with SPT, John estimates he's travelled over 250,000 miles in countless journeys between the south and north banks - the equivalent of a journey to the moon and back.

It is thought that a ferry service has operated between Renfrew and Yoker for over 500 years, making it Scotland's oldest passenger ferry service. In the 1960s, there were many other crossings operating close to the Renfrew Ferry, mainly serving the dominant shipyards of the Clyde. The Erskine, Whiteinch, Partick, Govan and Finnieston ferries all stopped as bridges and tunnels replaced them. But the Renfrew Ferry continued to operate.

SPT's current vessels, the Renfrew Rose and the Yoker Swan, have travelled the short 200 metre distance between the slipways on either side since May 1984. They replaced an old chain driven ferry which carried cars, which was popular with drivers before the Clyde tunnel was built. The old car ferry can still be seen moored on the Broomielaw in Glasgow where it's a popular bar, restaurant and entertainment venue.

Click on a thumbnail below for a larger image.

Print page


It’s ‘out with the old and in with the new’ as the Renfrew Rose retires and Silvers Marine’s new Clyde Link service begins. Pictured on the new vessel is SPT Chair Jon Findlay. The Renfrew Rose. The very first sailing of this service dates back to when the town of Renfrew was made a Royal Burgh in 1396. The ferry originally operated from King's Inch, which is now the site of the Braehead Shopping Centre, but moved around 200 years ago. It’s ‘all hands on deck’ as loyal passengers and local politicians bid a fond farewell to the current vessel, the Renfrew Rose. Passengers who have sailed on the Renfrew Ferry throughout the years enjoyed a commemorative last sailing on the Clyde. Passengers jump at the chance of a free trial run on the new Clyde Link service. Silvers Marine will ensure the historic Renfrew to Yoker link – which has been maintained for more than 500 years – will continue. The Renfrew Rose and its sister ship the Yoker Swan began operating on the Clyde in 1984. They were built by William McCridle and Son in Ardrossan. Crowds gathered in Renfrew to say goodbye to the SPT ferries. For the last 26 years the vessels have made the short 200 metre crossing between Yoker and Renfrew as often as passengers required on 361 days a year. The Renfrew to Yoker passenger route, is one of the last remaining on the Clyde. In the 1960s there were many others, mainly serving the then dominant shipyards. These crossings were eventually replaced by bridges and tunnels. There was a special welcome for the oldest passenger - 93 year old Renfrew man Alex Morrison who has used the ferry all his days. Alex has taken more than 1,000 photographs of the vessels. SPT Chair Jon Findlay (left) with charge hand and boat master John Malinowski, who took the helm for the first and last sailings of the ferry. In his time with SPT John has sailed more than 250,000 miles – the distance to the moon and back. Yoker Swan by A Devine
media video play image

Skip to main Menu