Scottish Ferry Companies
Check prices & times »Scotland's ferries are run by a small number of operators, dominated by two big names: CalMac on the west coast and Hebrides, and NorthLink to Orkney and Shetland. Between them they cover almost every island crossing in the country.
A handful of smaller operators run specific routes. This page is a quick directory of who runs what — follow the links for our full guide to each operator.
Scottish ferry operators at a glance
| Operator | Network | Key Routes | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalMac | West coast and Hebrides | 30+ routes | Read Guide » |
| NorthLink | Orkney and Shetland | Northern Isles | Read Guide » |
| Pentland Ferries | Gill's Bay–St Margaret's Hope | Orkney (fast crossing) | — |
| Western Ferries | Gourock–Dunoon | Firth of Clyde | — |
CalMac
CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne) is Scotland's main ferry operator, running more than 30 lifeline routes across the west coast, the Hebrides and the Firth of Clyde. It's owned by the Scottish Government and uses Road Equivalent Tariff fares.
Read our full CalMac guide »
NorthLink
NorthLink is the lifeline operator to the Northern Isles, sailing from Aberdeen and Scrabster to Orkney and Shetland. Its overnight ships have cabins, a restaurant and a cinema, and it's operated by Serco under a Scottish Government contract.
Read our full NorthLink guide »Pentland Ferries
Pentland Ferries is a private, commercially run operator — not a subsidised lifeline service. It runs a fast catamaran crossing from Gill's Bay, near John o' Groats, to St Margaret's Hope on Orkney, taking around an hour. It's often the quickest and cheapest way to Orkney with a car.
Western Ferries
Western Ferries is another private operator, running a frequent crossing between Gourock and Dunoon on the Firth of Clyde — a rival, unsubsidised service on that route, often with more frequent sailings than the alternative.
Which operator will I travel with?
For most island trips the operator is decided by your destination, not by choice — CalMac for the west coast and Hebrides, NorthLink for Orkney and Shetland. The only places you get a genuine choice are on a couple of northern and Clyde crossings, where a private operator (Pentland or Western) runs alongside the main service. In those cases it's worth comparing on price, speed and sailing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main ferry companies in Scotland?
CalMac, which serves the west coast and Hebrides, and NorthLink, which serves Orkney and Shetland. Smaller operators include Pentland Ferries and Western Ferries.
Is CalMac government owned?
Yes — CalMac is owned by the Scottish Government and runs subsidised lifeline services to the islands.
What's the difference between NorthLink and Pentland Ferries?
NorthLink is the subsidised lifeline operator to Orkney and Shetland from Aberdeen and Scrabster; Pentland Ferries is a private operator running a fast crossing to Orkney from Gill's Bay.
Can I choose which ferry company to travel with?
On most routes the operator is fixed by your destination. On a few crossings — like Gourock to Dunoon, or the Orkney crossings — a private operator runs alongside the main service, giving you a choice.