STAND at the south end of Glen App, overlooking the north side of Loch
Ryan in the far south-west of Scotland, and you may see the remarkable
sight of two big ferries and a smaller hoverspeed craft criss-crossing
the loch at the same time. It is a measure of the number of people who
go backwards and forwards between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The long-established Stena Sealink was the original ferry sailing into
Larne. P & O joined later, also into Larne but based on the old wartime
port of Cairnryan, three miles out of Stranraer. In 1992, a perky
newcomer, Seacat, began to sail from Stranraer to Belfast, cutting the
time taken by the other lines from 2[1/4]hours to 1[1/2]hours.
When Seacat started, there were dire predictions that she would not be
able to cope with bad winter weather but, in fact, after a few bad
storms at the beginning of the 1992 winter, this present winter Seacat
has missed only one or two days.
Such close competition has brought better amenities to passengers and
keener prices. ''When one cuts fares, we all cut fares,'' is how an
official from one company put it. Apart from special offers, such as
Seacat's pre-Christmas shopping fare of #10 for foot passengers (which
continues at weekends) fares do not vary widely. For example, a
three-day return for car and five people would cost somewhere between
#140 and #160, but all have their individual offers and individual
assets.
Stena Sealink has a capacity for 850 passengers and around 200
vehicles depending on the flow of commercial traffic. In winter the
frequency is six round-trips per day. During the summer this increases
to eight, sometimes nine at peaks. On board facilities include main
lounge and special lounges for drivers, business people, and commercial
drivers, bar with live music, restaurant, cinema, baby-care area.
Inclusive packages of travel and B/B in hotels at various prices.
P&O ferry has a comfortable capacity for 610 passengers and 200
vehicles (depending on commercial traffic). All year round there are six
round trips daily. On board facilities include restaurant, bar, video,
lounge, Disney-style children's play area, quiet lounge, baby-care area.
P&O Club Class: Luxury lounge with complimentary tea/coffee, steward
service. Inclusive Tour Ireland programme (in conjunction with B&I
Line).
Seacat can take 450 passengers and 90 cars. One craft is in use
year-round with two craft employed during last year's peak period doing
four round trips daily. Facilities on board include guaranteed, bookable
seats, lounge, observation desk, bar and catering area with hot/cold
food, baby-care area. Airline-style check-in before boarding.
Northern Ireland has three main airports - Belfast International,
Belfast City and Londonderry. For those in a hurry, three airlines fly
between Scotland and the Province.
Flights are available from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. British
Airways, Manx and Loganair are main operators with fares from each
company much the same.
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