Across the North Sea (night ferry)
The overnight ferries across the North Sea are ideal if you want to use the long journey time to sleep and arrive in the UK rested in the morning.
Amsterdam - Newcastle
The ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle is the most direct and popular route to Scotland. The crossing with DFDS takes around 16 hours and 45 minutes and is overnight, so you arrive rested the next morning. From the ferry terminal in Newcastle, it is then only a two and a half hour drive to Edinburgh.
There is plenty on board the ferry to make your time fly by. There is live music, a movie theater, play areas for children and a selection of bars and restaurants. Check-in in Amsterdam starts at 13:00. If you are traveling by car, you should be checked in by 16:45 at the latest.
Ticket prices start at around €79 per person if you are traveling as a party of four in a cabin and taking a car. Prices vary depending on the season and availability, so it's worth booking early.
Rotterdam - Hull
You can travel less far north with P&O Ferries from Rotterdam to Hull. This route is shorter and usually cheaper than the Amsterdam - Newcastle connection. This ferry also runs overnight, so you can make the most of your travel time. However, the onward journey from Hull to Edinburgh takes around 5 hours.
Across the English Channel
The routes across the English Channel offer shorter crossings and more flexibility in terms of departure times, but require a longer onward journey through England to Scotland.
Dunkirk - Dover
The route from Dunkirk to Dover offers a good alternative to the busy Calais connections. The crossing takes around 2 hours and is operated by DFDS. From Dover it is then about 8 hours pure travel time to Edinburgh - you can still manage this in one day, but it will be exhausting.
Calais - Dover
The classic route across the English Channel is served by three providers: P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. This route offers the greatest flexibility in terms of departure times, with up to 30 crossings a day. The crossing itself only takes around 90 minutes. However, the subsequent onward journey to Edinburgh takes just over 8 hours. 
Calais - Folkestone (Eurotunnel)
The Eurotunnel offers the fastest connection between continental Europe and England. You can travel from Calais to Folkestone by car in just 35 minutes. The Eurotunnel is usually slightly more expensive than the ferries, but offers shorter journey times and less waiting time. At 8 hours, the journey time from Folkestone to Edinburgh is similar to that from Dover.
To the Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands are the northernmost archipelago in Scotland and can only be reached by ferry or plane. The ferry services depart from the Scottish mainland and also connect the Orkney Islands.
Aberdeen - Lerwick
The main service to the Shetland Islands is operated by NorthLink Ferries. The ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick runs daily overnight and takes around 12-14 hours for the crossing. The modern ferries offer comfortable cabins, restaurants and entertainment facilities. This route is particularly popular with travelers who want to take their car to the islands. The ferry usually departs Aberdeen at around 17:00 or 19:00 and arrives in Lerwick the next morning.
To the Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands lie to the north of the Scottish mainland and are a popular stopover on the way to the Shetland Islands.
Aberdeen - Kirkwall
NorthLink Ferries also operates the service from Aberdeen to Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. This crossing takes around 6-7 hours and is offered several times a week. The ferry usually sails overnight, so you arrive in Orkney early in the morning. From Kirkwall, you can explore the fascinating island world of the Orkneys or travel on to the Shetland Islands.
Kirkwall - Lerwick
There is also a NorthLink ferry for the connection between the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The crossing from Kirkwall to Lerwick takes around 5-7 hours and is offered several times a week. This route is ideal for island hopping between the two archipelagos. The ferry usually departs in the late evening and arrives in Lerwick in the early hours of the morning.
To the Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides stretch along the west coast of Scotland and offer spectacular scenery and a unique Gaelic culture.
Mallaig - Lochboisdale
CalMac Ferries operates the service from Mallaig to Lochboisdale on South Uist. The crossing takes around 3.5 hours and passes through the picturesque waters of Scotland's west coast. Mallaig is a charming fishing port on the west coast, which is also the terminus of the famous West Highland Railway Line. The ferry runs several times a week, with the frequency varying depending on the season. This route is particularly popular with travelers wishing to explore the remote and unspoiled landscapes of the Outer Hebrides. [Mallaig - Lochboisdale]