how he might have made the journey to Glasgow

[Doug Robertson]

In 1842, my g-g-grandfather, John Darroch, went from Clachan "to Glasgow to learn the trade of blacksmithing." I am curious to know how he might have made the journey. Steamers used to daily transport whiskey from Campbeltown to Glasgow. Would those kinds of ships also take passengers?

An 1881 letter by Mary Currie describes the reverse route (Glasgow to Clachan). She wrote of taking a steamer from Glasgow, through the Kyles of Bute to Tarbert, then via coach to Clachan. She also states, that "...travelling is now a very different thing, from what it was 30 years ago." Is she implying that this route might not have existed in 1842?

If not, would the journey have been the long circuitous route by land (e.g.: similar to today's A83)?

PS: The quotations above are taken from Frank Darroch's book A Darroch Family in Scotland and in Canada (pp 62 & 74).

[Lola5]

He might well have walked part of the way or given rides in a horse and cart by passers by, then by fisherman,s  or ferrymans boat across the water.
Folk walked a lot in 1842 .

My godmothers grandfather born in Carnbee ,Fife walked to London around that time.
No doubt he had lifts along the way.

[Doug Robertson]

Yes, folks walked a lot back then. I was assuming he had walked the whole distance (which would have taken 2-3 days) until I discovered the rail and steamship links were starting to be made during the early 19th century. You're probably correct--a combo of all three: walking, carriage, and boat.

Thanks, Lola.

[Maiden Stone]

In 1842, my g-g-grandfather, John Darroch, went from Clachan "to Glasgow to learn the trade of blacksmithing." I am curious to know how he might have made the journey. Steamers used to daily transport whiskey from Campbeltown to Glasgow. Would those kinds of ships also take passengers?

I think yes. Look for adverts in newspapers.

[Maiden Stone]

Slow boat. Regular sailing packet trade Campbelltown-Glasgow.
Quick boat. Steam packet. Campbelltown & Glasgow Steam Packet Company formed 1826. Laird Line already existed. May have been too expensive for a blacksmith.
There was a busy coastal trade, up & down Scottish and English coast, across to Ireland to Larne, Belfast, Derry.
https://www.dalmadan.com

[Lola5]

His father, or someone, would have had to pay the blacksmith a sum of money to take on the apprentice.
So maybe his father also paid for his fare on railway and steamer?  Railway faresmay have been cheap then.

Who knows....but there still might have been some walking involved.

What was the occupation of the apprentice's father?
And what was the age of the apprentice at the time of his journey?
But we can only surmise.

Maiden stone.
Very good site
i did not realise the railway was in place by 1840.

[Elwyn Soutter]

The Londonderry Sentinel for 18th June 1842 had an advert for a shipping service from Londonderry to Glasgow (Broomielaw Quay). There were 2 sailings a week, and one vessel – The Rover – called at Campbeltown en route.  The fare from Derry to Glasgow was 12 shillings with a cabin and 3 shillings steerage. Presumably the fare from Campbeltown was considerably less.

An advert in the Greenock Advertiser of 11 May 1847 mentions that there was a regular service from Campbeltown to Greenock which took 5 hours.  No mention of fares.

[Maiden Stone]

  Railway faresmay have been cheap then.

3rd class fares for workers. 3rd class "carriages" were open to rain, snow, wind.

[Doug Robertson]

Thanks to each of you for your helpful responses. To Lola5, who asked:
  - What was the occupation of the apprentice's father? He was a Customary Weaver in Clachan.
  - And what was the age of the apprentice at the time of his journey? He was 20 years old.

I read much about the advent of the steamers (thanks to James Watt, who lived close to the Firth of Clyde) and other inventors this was a rapid time of innovation.

Thanks!