The Renfrew Ferry

15/11/2025

This looks great!

04/07/2025

This is amazing to see!

07/06/2025

After more than 240 years, the Renfrew Ferry made its final crossing on 31 May 2025. With no public funding and a sharp drop in passengers following the opening of the new bridge, the service sadly became unsustainable.

But for many locals, this wasn’t just a historic farewell, it was a real loss.

While the new Renfrew Bridge is a welcome development, it doesn’t fully replace what the ferry offered. As a swing bridge, it must regularly open to allow ships to pass, sometimes for hours at a time. When that happens, pedestrians, cyclists and road users are left with no easy or direct alternative.

The ferry, by contrast, was short, reliable, and directly connected the town centre to the north bank, regardless of river traffic. For schoolchildren, elderly residents, and those without cars, it made daily life easier.

A community-led petition is now live, asking Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to explore all options, whether as a supported service, a leisure crossing, or a heritage route.

If the ferry ever mattered to you, please take a moment to sign and share:
🔗 www.change.org/renfrewferry

From all of us, thank you for the memories, the crossings, and the care.

03/06/2025

✊️

The end of the service that has carried passengers between Renfrew and Yoker for nearly 250 years was announced on social media as it was declared ‘unviable’

01/06/2025

Well done Paisley Tours

One of the most entertaining walking tours you’ll ever go on — and by the end, you’ll have basically earned a (non-official) PhD in Paisley.

Led by knowledgeable local guides with proper Scottish wit and a genuine love for the town, these tours bring Paisley’s rich and rebellious history to life in a way that’s relaxed, welcoming and packed with stories you’ve probably never heard — but won’t forget.

From rebel monks and royal secrets to the rise of Coats & Clark and the haunting legacy of the witch trials, it’s a walk through time that’ll leave you laughing, learning, and looking at Paisley in a whole new light.

We use professional audio receivers and mics, so no matter where you stand, you’ll hear every word clearly — even over the traffic or seagulls.

📍 History Tour: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at 11am & 2pm

Book here: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/paisleytours/items/632804/?from-embed=item-grid&full-items=yes&back=https%3A%2F%2Fwww-paisleytours-org-uk.filesusr.com%2Fhtml%2Faf4d57_2e2f4b6654b2fd36e6e69ece3357fd6c.html&from-ssl=yes&u=9f1e6470-9eed-4151-9e17-f3a599640215&ga4t=&g4=no&cp=no&csp=no

Groups are capped at 15 for the best experience

For private groups or larger bookings, drop us a line: [email protected]

It’s smart, it’s local, it’s full of heart — come see what all the buzz is about.

31/05/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the Renfrew Ferry’s closure — the oldest ferry crossing in Scotland, whose very first sailing dates back to 1396, the same year Renfrew was granted its Royal Burgh status.

For over six centuries, this crossing has connected more than just two banks of the Clyde — it’s bridged communities, generations, and stories. Its closure marks the end of a living link to Scotland’s medieval past.

If you have any old photographs or memories of the ferry, we would be honoured to see them. We’re also looking to speak with local historians who can help us preserve and share the full story of this remarkable crossing — before it drifts too far from memory.

Thanks to Paisley Tours for making this wee video for us. Gee them a follow.

31/05/2025

Important message
Hi folks you have probably been expecting this message. The ferry is closing effective immediately.

Since the bridge opened the passenger numbers have gone down and this past week dropped to a level that it is no longer viable to keep running. We didn’t get funding but only passenger fares kept us going.

A huge thank you from us to all of you that used the ferry some of you every day. Many became personal friends.

Yes the bridge is a real pain when it’s unavailable sometimes for hours but that’s just swinging bridge life and those of us that live locally will get used to it.

So goodbye from all the Renfrew to Yoker staff it certainly is the end of an era, we will see you around!

31/05/2025

Important message
Hi folks you have probably been expecting this message. The ferry is closing effective immediately.

Since the bridge opened the passenger numbers have gone down and this past week dropped to a level that it is no longer viable to keep running. We didn’t get funding but only passenger fares kept us going.

A huge thank you from us to all of you that used the ferry some of you every day. Many became personal friends.

Yes the bridge is a real pain when it’s unavailable sometimes for hours but that’s just swinging bridge life and those of us that live locally will get used to it.

So goodbye for on all the Renfrew to Yoker staff it certainly is the end of an era, we will see you around!

30/05/2025

Good afternoon folks we are closing at 5pm again tonight. Virtually no one crossed after 5 at the moment

30/05/2025

Good morning folks the ferry is running to schedule.

29/05/2025

Hi folks we are going to finish a bit early today at 5pm we have a wee job to do on ferry and passenger numbers after 5pm have dropped significantly especially on rainy days

29/05/2025

Hi folks bridge unavailability today
Thursday May 29 2025:
8.25am to 8.45am
9.25am to 11.00am
11.45am to 1pm
These are approximate times