Alba - Ferries

Ferries to and in Scotland

Ferries in Scotland

To/From Scotland

You can find a list of links at the Scottish Tourist Board (STB) or at SeaView

Across the channel
The Hovercraft (from Hoverspeed) is surely a unique experience, but I don't think that a second time would be even half as exciting. It's big advantage is the speed. The disadvantages are the complete lack of comfort (the seats are too small and there is very little room for the legs) and the fact that 90% of the passengers can't see a thing during the crossing because the windows are too dirty with sand and salt water deposits. You can't leave your seat during the crossing (35-45mins depending on weather conditions). If you want to get a place near a window, you'll have to be at the Hoverport quite early because only the first to enter the Hovercraft will have the choice of seats.

The Super Sea Cat (also from Hoverspeed) is another thing entirely. It's quite a sizeable ferry, but looks like a very big speed boat or a fast yacht. My GPS gave me a maximum reading of 75km/h! Below deck you can have a coffee and snacks, stroll through the duty free shop or, not only for the kids, have a look on the bridge where the captain must feel like James T. Kirk on the Enterprise: Color screens everywhere and a joystick for the steering. But the best thing to do is to be above deck when it leaves port. You have to feel that enormous power, the acceleration and the wind around your head. Keep both hands around your children! Small kids might not be able to stand against the wind.

There are also a number of normal ferries going across the channel.

Finally you can take the channel tunnel (also called the chunnel). It's probably the most comfortable way and bad weather couldn't be a problem there, but you shouldn't have claustrophobia ...

To Hull (Kingston-upon-Hull) or Newcastle
Several operators offer overnight crossings from Zeebrugge (Belgium) or Rotterdam (the Netherlands) to Hull ( P&O North Sea Ferries) or from Amsterdam/Ijmuiden or Hamburg to Newcastle (Scandinavian Seaways).
If you are coming from the east or south-east (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands,...) it has the big advantage that children prefer a night on a big ship, rather than 500km more on the motorway and it might just mean 500km less traffic jams if you're travelling on a weekend.

I made Zeebrugge-Hull several times with North Sea Ferries and was very satisfied. The service is good, the ships clean and the possibilities on board range from a disco over a piano bar to a cinema and a play area for small children. Event a silent room for those who wish to read quietly is there. The personnel is very nice and helpful.

I'll do Amsterdam(Ijmuiden)-Newcastle, which brings you even further north, this year. You will see my report about it here after july.

In Scotland

For ferry services within Scotland, see also at the STB site above.
For time-tables and fares, have a look at Caledonian MacBrayne.

There are some small scenic ferries on smaller crossings which are not run by CalMac, like the one from Glenelg to Kylerhea (Isle of Skye). This is a must if you go to Skye and a very good alternative to the Skye bridge.

Support SKAT! Skye and Kyle Against Tolls.
Use the ferries from Glenelg or Mallaig instead of the Skye-bridge.

Glenelg Ferry

Ferries to/from Scotland

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