Day 32: The Renfrew Ferry

The Renfrew Ferry has been going since 1790 and because of the trade it brought, the ‘right of ferry’ was a cherished privilege, held by Renfrew since medieval times. It may date from when the town became a Royal Burgh in 1396. By the 1830s this was a very busy spot with the ferry operating round the clock, carrying passengers, livestock and goods. On Sunday 8 March 1936 when the new Queen Mary was docked at Clydebank a census recorded that 21,386 passengers, 946 motor cars, 141 motor cycles, 819 pedal cycles and 67 vans had crossed. More recently, in 2010, the Renfrew Ferry was saved from extinction by Silvers Marine who run it using a William E. Munson Company aluminium vessel, capable of carrying 12 passengers, largely on demand.