Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boat
Other smaller ferry companies are mentioned in the regional chapters.
Caledonian MacBrayne
(CalMac; 0800 066 5000;
www.calmac.co.uk
)
Serves the
west coast and islands. Comprehensive timetable booklet available from tourist offices.
CalMac Island Hopscotch
offers more than two dozen tickets, giving reduced fares for
various combinations of crossings; these are listed on the website and in the CalMac
timetable booklet.
Island Rover
tickets allow unlimited ferry travel for £55/79 for a foot
passenger for eight/15 days, plus £259/388 for a car or £130/195 for a motorbike. Bi-
cycles travel free with foot passengers' tickets.
Northlink Ferries
(
0845 600 0449;
www.northlinkferries.co.uk
)
Ferries from Aber-
deen and Scrabster (near Thurso) to Orkney, from Orkney to Shetland and from Aberdeen
to Shetland.
Bus
Scotland is served by an extensive bus network that covers most of the country. In remote
areas, however, services are more geared to the needs of locals (getting to school or the
shops in the nearest large town) and may not be well timed for visitors.
First
(
www.firstgroup.com
)
Operates local bus routes in Aberdeen, Greater Glasgow, Ed-
inburgh and southeast Scotland.
Royal Mail Postbus
(
www.royalmail.com
)
Minibuses, or sometimes four-seater cars,
driven by postal workers delivering and collecting the mail - there are no official stops,
and you can hail a postbus anywhere on its route. Although services have been cut
severely in recent years, it's still the only public transport in some remote parts of Scot-
land.
Scottish Citylink
(
0871 266 3333;
www.citylink.co.uk
)
National network of comfy, re-
liable buses serving all main towns. Away from main roads, you'll need to switch to local
services.
Bus Passes
Holders of a
National Entitlement Card
(
www.entitlementcard.org.uk
)
, available to seni-
ors and disabled people who are Scottish citizens, get free bus travel throughout the coun-
try. The youth version, for 11- to 26-year-olds, gives discounted travel, and SYHA mem-