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Ferry to Scotland
20 Ferry crossings from 25 Ports
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Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

Open Ticket?

Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

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Scotland

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Ferry to Scotland

Geographically speaking, Scotland occupies the northern third of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, sharing a land border with England to its south, and with Northern Ireland found to the south west, across the Irish Sea.

Scotland is home to hundreds of islands and many archipelagos, all varying in size. The Isle of Skye is perhaps the most well-known, part of the Hebrides along the west coast, as well as the historically rich northern isles of Orkney and the slightly more far-flung Shetland Islands. It’s usually on these islands, particularly the Western Isles, where Scotch whisky is made; it’s one of the nation’s best exports, with some five hundred million bottles produced annually.

Scotland boasts a mix of spectacular and spellbinding landscapes; it is a land of glorious, sweeping highlands with glistening lochs in the northwest, inhabited by a rich and varied wildlife, attracting high numbers of birdwatchers from around the world.

It has a blossoming arts and culture scene, which is most prominent in Glasgow, and countless castles, the most famous being the iconic hilltop fortress in the capital, Edinburgh. It’s believed there was once over three thousand castles in Scotland.

Getting a ferry to Scotland from Northern Ireland is simple, with a choice of conventional and high-speed sailings connecting you to south west Scotland. The ferries are modern, well-appointed vessels and provide a short and frequent year round link across the Irish Sea.

Though the direct passenger ferry link to Scotland from mainland Europe is no longer operating, the UK road network provides good access to all regions of Scotland. So if you’re travelling from the continent: going via England is a reasonable alternative, preferably sailing to a port in the north east England to minimise driving time. The Port of Newcastle is around two and a half hours from Edinburgh by car, while Hull is roughly four hours from the Scottish border.

Which ferries go to Scotland?

Ferries to Scotland sail from Northern Island, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands. Popular routes include Belfast to Cairnryan and Larne to Cairnryan.

Which ferry companies go to Scotland?

There are 3 popular ferry operators for Scotland. These are Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Northlink Ferries.

What Islands have ferries to Scotland?

Scotland’s island ferry routes include Lerwick to Aberdeen from the Shetland Islands and Stromness to Scrabster, St Margaret's Hope to Gills Bay Ferry and Kirkwall to Aberdeen from the Orkney Islands.

How long is the ferry to Scotland?

Ferries to Scotland can take between 1 -12 hours depending on the route. The quickest ferry crossing St Margaret's Hope to Gills Bay Ferry. This route takes approximately 1 hour and Pentland Ferries operates this route with 14 weekly sailings. The next quickest route to Scotland is Stromness to Scrabster which takes approximately 1.5 hours, with 3 daily sailings.

Most popular questions

Which ferries travel to Scotland?

Ferries to Scotland:
  • Larne
  • Belfast
  • Lerwick
  • Kirkwall
  • Stromness
  • Armadale
  • Craignure
  • Brodick
  • Castlebay
  • Lochboisdale
  • Port Askaig
  • Stornoway
  • Tiree
  • St Margaret's Hope

What is the cheapest ferry to Scotland?

The cheapest ferry to Scotland is £146 from St Margaret's Hope to Gills Bay. Price exclusive of booking fees.

What are the ferry ports in Scotland?

Scotland Ferry Ports:
  • Cairnryan
  • Aberdeen
  • Scrabster
  • Mallaig
  • Oban
  • Ardrossan
  • Kennacraig
  • Ullapool
  • Gills Bay

Can you take pets on the ferry to Scotland?

Yes, you can bring your pets onboard the ferries. Where pets are allowed on the ferries depends on the ferry company. Currently you can bring pets on ferries with
  • P&O Irish Sea
  • Stena Line
  • Pentland Ferries

Scotland reviews

  • "First trip for 30 years!"

    It's been 30 years since i last travelled by ferry across the Irish Sea and was very impressed by the chagnes! Reasonable prices, great onboard facilities, modern ship, i loved it and will travel again soon. Would like to give the Stena Plus lounge a go next time as looked like great value.

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  • "good service"

    efficient service with polite staff.

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  • "Larne - Cairnryan"

    Cost effective, comfortable and convenient car ferry.

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  • "Larne to Cairnryan"

    Excellent fast service and friendly staff, all round very enjoyable trip.

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Scotland Ferry Map and Routes

Onboard the ferries

Ship guides, videos & reviews

Find out what it's like onboard the ferries before you travel.

Ferry Routes to Scotland

  • Larne - Cairnryan
  • Belfast - Cairnryan
  • St Margaret's Hope - Gills Bay

Ferry Routes from Scotland

  • Cairnryan - Larne
  • Cairnryan - Belfast
  • Gills Bay - St Margaret's Hope
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