Getting around Scotland by ferry

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates many of the main ferry routes on the Firth of Clyde, connecting the mainland with the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae, as well as Dunoon and Kilcreggan. 

You can also travel between Dunoon and Gourock with CalMac. Combine your ferry journey with a train ticket from Glasgow Central and you can reach your destination in just an hour and a half. Western Ferries (Clyde) also operates daily between Gourock and Dunoon, with services every 15 minutes at peak times.

Always check the journey information before you travel, for details on baggage allowance, checking in times and delays or cancellations due to weather conditions.

CalMac operates most ferry routes to the Hebrides, with services departing from Oban and Kennacraig in Argyll, Mallaig and Ullapool in the Highlands, and Uig on the Isle of Skye. These routes connect visitors with destinations throughout the Inner and Outer Hebrides. 

For trips to the Small Isles, Arisaig Marina offers several crossings each week to Eigg and Muck. During the summer months, additional services also run to Rum, Canna and Loch Coruisk on selected Sundays.

There are three main ferry routes between mainland Scotland and Orkney. NorthLink Ferries operates services from Scrabster to Stromness and from Aberdeen to Kirkwall. Pentland Ferries sails from Gills Bay, near John o’Groats, to St Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay. Once in Orkney, many islands are connected by inter-island services run by Orkney Ferries.

NorthLink Ferries also operates nightly passenger and vehicle ferries between Aberdeen and Lerwick in Shetland. One sailing each night travels direct, while the others stop en route at Hatston Ferry Terminal, near Kirkwall, in Orkney. The crossing takes around 12 hours direct, or around 14 hours 30 minutes when travelling via Orkney.

Shetland’s inter-island ferry services are operated by Shetland Islands Council. Route details, timetables, fares and service updates are available on the Shetland Islands Council website. 

Smaller ferry services connect many of Scotland's islands and remote coastal communities. Some of them carry vehicles, while others are for foot passengers only. Examples include: 

• Argyll and Bute Council: operates four ferry routes serving Cuan, Lismore, Jura and Easdale
• Western Isles Cruises: operates daily ferry services from Mallaig to west coast destinations including Inverie and Tarbet on Loch Nevis

Discover what you can see along some of Scotland’s spectacular island ferry routes and find out more about travelling around the country using its excellent public transport links.

Use the links below for the latest travel information, including delays and cancellations. Before you travel, confirm your departure time, check-in requirements and service status directly with your operator.

• Calmac Ferries
• Northlink Ferries
• Orkney Ferries
• Western Ferries
• Shetland Islands Council