There are a range of ferry services in Scotland, most of which are subsidised by the Scottish Government to maintain or improve the economic and social conditions in the Highlands and Islands.
The Scottish Government is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of ferry services in Scotland. The Review is considering all domestic services in Scotland including those operated privately. More information about the Review is available at the link on the left hand side of this page.
The Scottish Government is also undertaking a study into the use of a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) in the context of ferry fares in Scotland. The study includes a pilot exercise in the Western Isles and Coll and Tiree that started in October 2008 and will run until March 2011. More information about RET is available at the link on the left hand side of the page.
The Scottish Government currently funds services in the Clyde and Hebrides, Northern Isles and Gourock to Dunoon. Ferry services in Scotland are currently the focus of a European Commission investigation which is due to be completed later this year, however the European Commission have made it clear that they do not want to jeopardise the existing ferry services in any way.
The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service is currently operated by CalMac Ferries Limited. CalMac Ferries Ltd were successful in securing the contract to operate the services from October 2007 through to September 2013. The network conveys passengers, cars and commercial vehicles on 28 routes serving 24 islands and 4 remote peninsulas. More information about the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services is available at the link on the left hand side of the page.
Northlink Ferries currently operate ferry services to Orkney and Shetland. The routes operated are Lerwick/Kirkwall to Aberdeen and Scrabster to Stomness. Northlink Ferries were successful in securing the contract to operate from July 2006 to June 2012. Northlink provides facilities for passenger, cars, commercial vehicles and freight. The Scottish Government also provides support for a lift-on lift-off (lo-lo) freight shipping service between Aberdeen -Kirkwall and Lerwick. This service is operated by Shetland Line (1984) who secured the contract to operate the service from May 2008 to May 2014.
There are currently two operators providing ferry services from the Cowal peninsula to Inverclyde. Cowal Ferries Ltd currently operates vehicle and passenger services from Dunoon Pier to Gourock Pier. The timetable for this subsidised service is restricted to avoid disproportionately affecting traffic on the competing unsubsidised Western Ferries service which operates from Hunter's Quay to McInroy's Point.
Map of the Gourock-Dunoon route (PDF)
The Scottish Government are currently examining the options that are available for the route and an announcement on any plans for the service will be made as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Cowal Ferries Ltd will continue to provide the current passenger and vehicle service until such time as alternative arrangements are put in place.
The Scottish Government are also considering the introduction of a ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle. A Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) was completed recently and the Scottish Government are currently working with the Northern Ireland Executive to agree the way forward.
David MacBrayne Ltd is wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. As a group holding company activated as part of the restructuring of former Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd in October 2007, it has 4 subsidiaries, including CalMac Ferries Ltd, which operates Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, NorthLink Ferries Ltd which provides the Northern Isles ferry and Cowal Ferries Limited which provide the Dunoon pier to Gourock pier ferry service.
(David MacBrayne structure chart)
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) are the asset owning company with responsibility for the fleet of vessels and a number of piers and harbours utilised on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. Through Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited financial assistance is available for the development and improvement of lifeline piers and harbour infrastructure within the Highlands and Islands. More information about the role of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited is available on their website at http://www.cmassets.co.uk/index.html
CMAL's Management Statement/Financial Memorandum
In addition to the services supported by the Scottish Government inter-island ferry services in Orkney and Shetland are supported by Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council respectively. Highland Council and Argyll & Bute Council also support a number of local services. Further details on these services can be found on the appropriate council website. Throughout the Highlands and Islands a number of privately owned operators provide local ferry links.
.