Free inter-island ferry travel introduced for young people in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides

The Scottish Government has announced that 1 April 2025 will see the introduction of free inter-island ferry travel for all island residents under the age of 22 within Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

The new scheme will enable young island residents to travel for free as foot passengers on inter-island ferry services within their own local authority area by showing their Young Scot or National Entitlement Card.

Set out in the Islands Connectivity Plan last year and forming a key commitment in the transport budget for 2025-26, the scheme forms part of the Scottish Government’s long term strategy to ensure ferry services are affordable and sustainable for years to come. The scheme will also help eradicate child poverty and grow the economy by providing young people with free access to education, employment and social opportunities.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “This new scheme will enable children and young people to travel for free between islands across their local authority area, improving access to education, employment, training, health and social activities and much more. I am pleased that from 1 April, this scheme will give them the same opportunities as free bus travel provides for many children and young people in mainland communities and was a key commitment in the transport budget for 2025-26. I also remain committed to extending free ferry travel to more young people on our islands in 2025-26.

“Eradicating child poverty is the single greatest priority of this government and we are committed to giving all of our children and young people the very best chance to succeed in life.”

Long supported by Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, MSYP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alannah Logue said: "Free inter-island ferry travel is something we as young people living on the islands have been campaigning for over the last couple of years and it's really exciting to see it come to fruition. This extends the accessibility of the under 22s NEC card to young people who do not rely on buses, but still heavily rely on inter-island ferries as public transport. This will make opportunities such as extra circular activities, social events and youth work services more accessible for young islanders, which is something that is desperately needed in the rural parts of Scotland."

The free inter-island travel for under 22s applies to foot passenger fares on the inter-island ferry services within the Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides island groups, operated by Orkney Ferries, Shetland Islands Council and CalMac respectively.

·         These inter-island ferry services are most equivalent to local bus services and this scheme, which is accessed by showing a Young Scot or National Entitlement Card with the relevant Council logo, will allow young people to travel across their local authority area to access opportunities.

·         For more detail on how to apply for a Young Scot Card or National Entitlement Card, please visit www.getyournec.scot or alternatively contact your local Council for assistance.

·         The existing national Young Persons scheme provides four free single (two return) ferry journeys each year to and from the mainland for eligible island residents aged 16-18 and eligible full time volunteers aged 19-25. Eligible island residents receive ferry vouchers which are valid from 1 April to 31 March the following year for travel as a foot passenger or to help pay for a cabin.

·         Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, or MSYPs, are young people aged 14 - 25 who are elected every two years to represent every Scottish Parliament constituency and nine national voluntary organisations.

·         MSYP for Shetland Bertie Summers said: "I am incredibly pleased about the introduction of the free inter-island ferry travel scheme for under 22s. It sufficiently levels the playing field in terms of public transportation access for young people in some of Scotland’s island communities. This will hopefully be the start of a new beginning for our communities, and it is certainly a cause for celebration. If young people in these communities no longer have to pay for inter-island ferry travel, then they could potentially become more willing to continue living in the areas that they grew up in, which will help to counter the shrinking population in Scotland’s islands, as well as the growing jobs vacancies which really need to be filled."

·         MSYP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Ellie Denehy said: "The introduction of free inter-island ferry travel for u22s is a fantastic step towards making travel more accessible for young people in our islands. It not only helps connect our communities but also eases the financial burden for families, allowing young people to explore more opportunities across the Western Isles."