CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Are you a ferry first timer

Research reveals over 1.2 million Scots have never travelled by sea.

Are you a ferry first timer

Article Source: Stena Line
Last Updated: 7 June 2024 13:19

Once a proud global shipbuilding hub, it seems almost inconceivable that Scots could lose their sea legs, but surprising new research has found that more than 1.2million of us have never travelled by ferry.

The survey found that almost 23% of people living in Scotland have never sailed the high seas and that over 40% of us have not done so in the past five years.

Conducted by Swedish owned ferry company, Stena Line, the research shows our perception of ferry travel may be outdated with large numbers surprised by the extent of facilities onboard modern vessels.

For example, 45% of those questioned don’t expect to find a spa onboard while at sea, 37% are unaware they can watch the latest movies in a cinema and 28% do not realise your four-legged friend can enjoy the high seas in a pet cabin.

Travel journalist, TV presenter and broadcaster, Craig Doyle said the time is right for modern travellers to become ferry first timers and enjoy a level of comfort at sea which goes beyond all expectations.

Craig said: “I’m a regular ferry traveller with Stena Line as I go back and forth between the UK and Ireland, and I really couldn’t believe how many people hadn’t even tried it!

“I love just filling the car up with everything I need, with no airport stresses and then I’m just done! On board I treat it like a restaurant as well as my office, I also get a tremendous sense of calm and feel I have some much needed peace to get things done.

“I love the fact I can even walk on deck and look out to sea as you make your way, it’s such an enjoyable way to travel.

“The Stena Line survey also revealed that 58% of people in Scotland want to try something new on their holiday and that more than two-thirds of Scots feel accomplished after trying new things.

“I would urge anyone, who hasn’t travelled by sea before, or maybe has an outdated impression of what ferry travel is like, to try it this summer - I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

“With tonnes of cool luxuries like the Stena Plus Lounge and Hygge Lounges, or being able to book a pet cabin, it’s a completely stress-free way to start your holiday.”


On the Belfast to Cairnryan Superfast ferries you can even enjoy a spa treatment and with 31% of those surveyed seeking comfort when travelling, ferry travel ticks a lot of boxes. With Duty Free shopping onboard many routes as well, passenger can even make a saving when buying their favourite treats on board too.

You can book the perfect car-cation, or even travel as a foot passenger, with daily crossings between Cairnryan and Belfast, Liverpool and Belfast, Holyhead and Dublin and Fishguard and Rosslare.

For more information and to book your next trip visit www.stenaline.co.uk

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow

Latest Stirling News

Secret New Tours at Stirling Castle offer behind the scenes access

Secret New Tours at Stirling Castle offer behind the scenes access

Secret Stirling Tours – a new bespoke tour of Stirling Castle – launches today (Monday 15 September) giving visitors exclusive access to areas of the site that are normally closed to the public.

READ MORE
Local runner swaps sneakers for shackles in spooky Stirling shopping centre sleepover

Local runner swaps sneakers for shackles in spooky Stirling shopping centre sleepover

A Stirling local is set to spend the night in one of the city’s most unusual, and eerie, locations to raise vital funds for children across the world.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.

READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!

READ MORE
Find your next business opportunity at Forth Valley Meet the Real Buyer event

Find your next business opportunity at Forth Valley Meet the Real Buyer event

Local businesses and social enterprises across the Forth Valley are being invited to explore supply chain opportunities in a free-to-attend event at Alloa Town Hall.

READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.

READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
Fair Trade Stirling going the distance in cycling fundraiser for Malawi

Fair Trade Stirling going the distance in cycling fundraiser for Malawi

Fair Trade Stirling is holding a sponsored bike ride to raise money for its long-term partners in the Karonga District of Malawi.

READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.

READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.

READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival

A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival

Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.

READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party

Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party

It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!

READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month

Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month

Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.

READ MORE
Go Forth Stirling Launch 2026 Business Awards

Go Forth Stirling Launch 2026 Business Awards

Stirling’s outstanding independent and national retailers are set to be recognised and rewarded at the city’s 2026 Business Awards.

READ MORE
Drop in sessions begin on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling

Drop in sessions begin on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling

Businesses, visitors and residents are urged to feedback on Stirling’s draft Visitor Levy scheme as drop-in sessions begin.

READ MORE
Fresh new line up for one of the biggest FREE food and drink festivals in Scotland

Fresh new line up for one of the biggest FREE food and drink festivals in Scotland

Vikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.

READ MORE
From pouring pints to the red carpet: The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 crowns its hospitality stars!

From pouring pints to the red carpet: The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 crowns its hospitality stars!

The winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.

READ MORE
Stirling Photography Festival goes Beyond with exhibitions across Stirlingshire

Stirling Photography Festival goes Beyond with exhibitions across Stirlingshire

The Stirling Photography Festival is proud to announce the launch of a series of exhibitions in rural Stirling as part of their 2025 programme.

READ MORE
Stirling marks 30th Anniversary of Braveheart

Stirling marks 30th Anniversary of Braveheart

Braveheart continues to be a huge draw for visitors to Scotland as Stirling prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oscar-winning epic.

READ MORE
Best Croissant Competition returns for 2025

Best Croissant Competition returns for 2025

The Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.

READ MORE
New Forth Valley Five Campaign Launches to Champion Local Food and Drink

New Forth Valley Five Campaign Launches to Champion Local Food and Drink

Businesses across Stirling and beyond are being invited to take the ‘Forth Valley Five’ pledge: a bold new initiative designed to celebrate local food and drink and boost community wealth.

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland launches Talking About Heritage

Historic Environment Scotland launches Talking About Heritage

People across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.

READ MORE
Clans @ The Croft team mountain bike enduro event returns

Clans @ The Croft team mountain bike enduro event returns

A multiple Clan skirmish of epic proportions is on the cards again for mountain bike Enduro riders when Clans @ The Croft, the first team event on the UK's Enduro calendar, returns to Creiff.

READ MORE
Tickets now on sale for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Tickets now on sale for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.

READ MORE
Call for sites and ideas for new Local Development Plan in Stirling

Call for sites and ideas for new Local Development Plan in Stirling

Residents, community groups and other key stakeholders will have the opportunity to shape Stirling’s future as the consultation on the area’s new Local Development Plan enters crucial new phase.

READ MORE
Primark celebrates 50 years in Scotland with a wee nod to loyal Scots in all stores today

Primark celebrates 50 years in Scotland with a wee nod to loyal Scots in all stores today

Scottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.

READ MORE
Christmas at Crieff Hydro returns with magical line up of festive activities

Christmas at Crieff Hydro returns with magical line up of festive activities

Scotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.

READ MORE
Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled

Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled

The shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.

READ MORE
Innis & Gunn wins double gold at the World Beer Awards 2025

Innis & Gunn wins double gold at the World Beer Awards 2025

Innis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

TGC Leisure
Hostelworld
ATG

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow
TGC Leisure
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

Galloway Gathering Tour
Join Anna Massie at Thornhill Community Hall on 3rd October for live folk music and food as the Galloway Gathering Tour continues!
Hamish Henderson - An Artist’s Inspiration
Hamish Henderson - An Artist's Inspiration is being toured around Scotland throughout 2025 with a date at Macrobert Arts Centre on Friday 17th October.
HalloWILD at Blair Drummond Safari Park
This October, swap spooky for spectacular when HalloWILD returns to Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park from 11th - 31st October!
A Christmas Carol
At this most magical time of the year be swept back in time nearly two centuries to the world of Scrooge’s London in an authentic and joyful adaptation from Operation Moonlight at Stirling Castle!
Stirling Cocktail Week
Get ready for the return of Stirling's city-wide cocktail event from Friday 26th September to Sunday 5th October 2025!

Popular Listings

Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling Castle The Albert Halls Stirling The National Wallace Monument Tolbooth Stirling