Travel and transport

Caledonian MacBrayne ferries sail to 24 destinations across Scotland.

The Highlands of Scotland has a comprehensive road, rail, air and ferry network as well as cycle tracks if you want to take the scenic route.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) operates 10 airports – Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.

Inverness has scheduled services to Gatwick (Flybe and easyJet) and Luton (easyJet) as well as other destinations south of the border including Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.

At Inverness Airport and nearby there is both short-term and long-term parking, and inside the terminal car hire is available. There is also a regular bus service connecting stops in and around Inverness, Nairn, Forres and Elgin to the airport.

For details and timetables, visit www.thejet.co.uk and www.stagecoachbus.com (call 01463 239292). For a full list of airport services visit www.hial.co.uk or contact the airlines directly.

Caledonian MacBrayne sails to 24 destinations on Scotland’s west coast including Ullapool to Stornoway; Tarbert and Lochmaddy to Uig (Skye); and services to the Small Isles (Mallaig, Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna), as well as the Uists and Islay.

Take a grand tour of Scotland’s islands with Island Hopscotch tickets. Valid for one month from the date of your first journey, Island Hopscotch tickets let you create your own adventure and travel at your own pace.

There are 27 options to choose from, including Hopscotch 7 (Mull, Ardnamurchan and Skye) and Hopscotch 9 (Uists, Harris and Lewis). Tickets are valid for one journey on each route and can be used in either direction.

There are other money-saving fare options, including day excursions and island-hopping. Reservations are not required for foot passengers but, if you are taking a vehicle, you are strongly recommended to make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

For full details of CalMac routes, summer timetables and revised fares visit www.calmac.co.uk or phone the booking hotline on 0800 066 5000.

National Rail Enquiries will allow you to find the best-matched trains for your journey, regardless of operator, across the national rail network. The service includes a cheapest-fare finder. You can text direct to your mobile if you choose, and also check to see if there are any disruptions to the journey.

In addition you can view real-time station departure boards for all national railway stations, showing the most up-to-date information available.

For routes, timetables and tickets, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50.

First ScotRail provides services throughout Scotland. Up to two children aged between five and 15 can travel free with each adult who purchases a Kids Go Free ticket, available off-peak all week, all year round – even in the school holidays.

There’s no need to book in advance. There are also savings available for group bookings, Rover tickets (ideal for touring) and combined travel tickets which incorporate rail and other modes of transport.

Cycles are carried free of charge. Cycle spaces on trains are guaranteed when pre-booked through ScotRail Telesales on 08457 55 00 33 or at principal staffed stations. Reservations are available 12 weeks in advance of travel and up to two hours before the train starts its journey.

Should you experience difficulties with your cycle during your trip, a valid rail ticket qualifies you for ScotRail’s free breakdown recovery service. For information visit www.scotrail.co.uk/travelinfo/cycle-info.html

For timetables and tickets visit www.scotrail.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50.

East Coast operates services from Edinburgh to Inverness stopping at Perth, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Kingussie and Aviemore. Book online and receive a 10 per cent discount on the lowest standard advance fares. You can download timetables to your mobile if you have a compatible device.

Reservations are compulsory for those wishing to take cycles on East Coast trains and should be made no later than 24 hours before travelling. They are carried free of charge. For timetables and to buy tickets, go to www.eastcoast.com or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.

Traveline Scotland offers accurate, up-to-date and impartial timetable information to get you to your destination by the quickest public-transport mode, whether bus or train. Full information on connections is given to make necessary transfers as smooth as possible.

For fares and booking you need to contact the transport operator directly, but most have links to the website. Visit www.travelinescotland.com or call 0871 200 22 33.

Scottish Citylink connects all main towns along the west coast and in the Highlands. If you are planning a short break or holiday, Explorer Pass is the perfect way to see the best of Scotland.

The Citylink network connects more than 200 towns and cities across the country with over 400 services per day. It offers maximum flexibility at minimum price.

You can use any service at any time within the validity of the pass, and you can also take advantage of discounts available from other transport and accommodation providers.

Visit www.citylink.co.uk or call 0871 266 33 33.

Megabus services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness link all towns on the A9, with tickets starting at as little as £1 plus a 50p booking fee. The luggage policy is one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage only.

Visit www.megabus.com/uk or book by phone on 0900 160 0900 (lines open 8am-9pm, seven days a week).

Stagecoach Highland serves towns across Scotland. Megarider tickets allows you to travel when you like and as often as you wish within your chosen area before the expiry date. There are very few restrictions to the tickets. Visit www.stagecoachbus.com

Postbus services are operated in more remote areas, with routes including Pitlochry to Rannoch Station in Perthshire and Tongue to Lairg in Sutherland.

As postbuses need to deliver mail in the morning and pick up in the afternoon, there are usually two services a day from Monday to Friday. Some areas have just one service a day. You can hail a postbus at any point along its route and it will stop to pick you up. Be aware that some postbuses don’t always travel the same route on a return journey.

Fares differ depending on where you are and how far you travel, and there are concessionary fares on all postbus services. For details, call the customer service centre on 08457 740 740 or visit www.royalmail.com

Sustrans is the sustainable transport charity which works to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport. The organisation’s website at www.sustrans.org.uk features maps showing rail and bus stations, bus stops, and on and off-road cycle routes.

For local cycle routes that get you where you want to go, visit the sister site www.routes2ride.org.uk/scotland