Take the ferry for travel convenience in Scotland

Because Scotland has so many islands, ferry services are of paramount importance. Most ferries transport vehicles as well as foot passengers, although a few smaller ones are for passengers only. It’s a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time, although reservations are not absolutely necessary. These are working ferries, not tourist boats. The main operator is Caledonian MacBrayne, known as CalMac. It sells an Island Rover runabout ticket, ideal for touring holidays in the islands, as well as an island-hopping scheme called Island Hopscotch. Fares range from £4 for a short trip to almost £50 for a longer trip with several legs. See our Scotland Travel Guide.