Ferry concessions for National Entitlement Card holders
You can get 4 free ferry vouchers each year if you:
- have a National Entitlement Card (NEC) – you may know this as your free bus pass
- live on certain Scottish islands
- meet any other requirements depending on your NEC type
These will give you 2 free return trips to the mainland as a foot passenger.
If you’re aged 5 to 21 years old, you might also get free travel between the islands in your local council area.
How you get your vouchers
You do not need to apply for the ferry vouchers. If you qualify, you’ll automatically receive them. You’ll get a letter with either:
- paper vouchers included
- information about how to download digital vouchers onto your NEC
If you live in Orkney or Shetland, your vouchers will be digital and stored on your card.
If you have an older person’s or a disabled person’s NEC
You can get ferry vouchers if you live in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney or Shetland.
If your disabled person's bus pass gives you free travel for a companion, they can also travel with you for free on the ferry.
If you have a young person's NEC
You can get ferry vouchers if you live in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney, Shetland, or islands in North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute or Highland Council areas and:
- are aged 16 to 21
- are aged 22 to 25 and a full time volunteer (30 hours a week or more)
Travel between islands
You can also get free foot passenger travel on ferries between the islands in your own council area if you:
- are aged 5 to 21
- live in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney or Shetland
You’ll need to show your NEC when you travel.
More information
Find out more about ferry vouchers and inter-island travel on the Transport Scotland website.