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.