478 Dunoon–Portavadie

478
An Optare Solo M880SL running the 478 route in Tighnabruiach in 2006
Overview
OperatorWest Coast Motors
Began service1993 (31 years ago) (1993)
Route
StartDunoon Pier
ViaTighnabruiach
Kames
EndPortavadie
Length28 miles (45 km)
A passing place near Glen Lean on the narrow B836, which forms a large part of the 478's route

The 478 is a bus route in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, which runs between Dunoon and Portavadie via Tighnabruiach and Kames.[1][2][3] It is operated by West Coast Motors, which was established in 1921. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport inaugurated the route, along with that of the 477 and 479, in October 1993.[4] The route is noted for its long stretches of single-track roads with scattered passing places,[5] especially along the B836 between Sandbank and Auchenbreck, at the junction with the A886 Colintraive–to–Strachur road.[4] The drivers of the 477, 478 and 479 have dubbed their routes the "Bermuda Triangle" due to their complexity and remoteness.[4]

Given the distance covered by the route (28 miles (45 km)), it only runs eight times a day, Monday to Saturday (four in the morning and four in the afternoon). The first bus departs Dunoon Pier at 5:48 AM (terminating at Tighnabruiach's Royal an Lochan hotel; the second run is the first to terminate at Portavadie ferry terminal); the last one at 5:30 PM. The journey takes between an hour and an hour and a half.[6][7] On weekdays, additional stops in Dunoon, Hunters Quay, Ardnadam and Sandbank occur in the mid-afternoon to support the release of children from local schools.[4]

Route

From Dunoon Pier, the route takes the passenger north through Sandbank on the A885, then west through Clachaig, Ardtaraig and (after rounding the northern shores of Loch Striven) Auchenbreck via the B836 (part of National Cycle Route 75). It then turns south on the A886 en route to the MV Loch Dunvegan for the short ferry crossing between Colintraive and Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute. The bus retraces its route to the north and continues past the junction with the B836, before looping around Loch Ruel to Tighnabruiach, Millhouse[8] and Portavadie.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Find Portavadie, Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland". www.portavadie.com. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  2. ^ Murphy, Alan (10 April 2014). Scotland Highlands & Islands Footprint Handbook. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-909268-62-3.
  3. ^ Council, Argyll and Bute. "478 Dunoon - Tighnabruaich - Portavadie | Argyll and Bute Council". www.argyll-bute.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "SCOTLAND'S BERMUDA TRIANGLE". www.keybuses.com. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  5. ^ Gardner, Nicky; Kries, Susanne (2011). Bus-Pass Britain. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 217. ISBN 978-1-84162-376-4.
  6. ^ a b 478 Dunoon to Colintraive (for Isle of Bute) & Portavadie – West Coast Motors official website
  7. ^ "Loch Lomond & Cowal Way - Here. Now. All of us". Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Location". Auchgoyle Farm. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2023.