Scottish ferries explained

Ferries are part of the journey on Scotland's west coast and to the northern isles. They are reliable most of the time, but space is limited, weather matters, and summer sailings sell out. A little planning makes a big difference.

Last checked 11 November 2026. Timetables, prices and opening dates change: check the operator before you travel.

Who runs what

• CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne) runs most ferries on the west coast and the Clyde: to Arran, Islay, Mull, Iona, Skye, the Small Isles, the Outer Hebrides and many smaller islands.
• NorthLink Ferries runs the routes from Aberdeen and Scrabster to Orkney and Shetland.
• Pentland Ferries crosses from Gills Bay in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope in Orkney.
• Local councils and community operators run short crossings such as the Corran Ferry near Fort William, the Glenelg–Kylerhea ferry to Skye (seasonal), and the inter-island ferries in Orkney and Shetland.

Main routes and approximate crossing times

Check before you travel. Timetables change between summer and winter, vessels are moved between routes when others are in for repair, and ports are sometimes closed for works. The times above are typical, not guaranteed. Always check the operator's website for your dates.

When to book

• Vehicles: on popular routes between May and September, such as Oban–Craignure, Mallaig–Armadale, Uig–Tarbert, Ullapool–Stornoway and the Islay routes, car space can sell out weeks or months ahead. Book as soon as timetables open for your dates.
• Foot passengers can usually turn up, but on very busy sailings or small boats, booking is still sensible.
• Cabins on the overnight NorthLink sailings sell out in summer; book early.
• Motorhomes and caravans take more deck space and are harder to fit on busy sailings.

Checking in and on board

Arrive at the port in good time; operators publish check-in times for each route, and on some routes you can lose your space if you are late. Larger CalMac ferries have a café and lounges; small ferries have little more than a covered deck. On short crossings you may be asked to stay with your car.

Disruption

West-coast ferries are cancelled in gales and occasionally for technical problems. CalMac's ageing fleet has had a series of breakdowns in recent years, and new vessels have been entering service gradually. What this means for you:

• Sign up for the operator's service alerts for your route.
• Keep a spare day at the end of any island stay, especially before a flight home.
• If your sailing is cancelled, the operator will usually move you to the next available sailing, but that may be the next day.
• Choose flexible accommodation bookings where you can.

Island hopping

CalMac has offered island-hopping tickets that cover set combinations of routes. Check the operator's current offers; they can save money but you still need to reserve vehicle space on each sailing. A popular hop is Oban to Barra, south to north through the Outer Hebrides by causeway and the Eriskay and Berneray ferries, and back to Skye from Tarbert or to Ullapool from Stornoway.