SCOTLAND could soon have its own direct link to Europe via ferry.
Plans have been in the works for years to connect Scotland to northern – but it’s set to become a reality in 2026.
The proposed route will connect a town in Fife, Scotland to the city of DunkirkCredit: Alamy
The route to France would be one of the longest in Europe taking around 20 hoursCredit: Alamy
Called ‘Project Brave’, the and was originally set to launch in 2025, but has faced delays due to a lack of funding.
The route is now being actively pursued once more and could be reintroduced as early as 2026 with the funding issue having now been resolved.
If it goes ahead, the service will link Rosyth, a town in to in France.
If it goes ahead, the route would run three times a week and take 20 hours in total.
Speaking in Westminster in November 2024, Scottish MP Graeme Downie proposed that £3 million in funding was needed to start up the service.
He said: “It is estimated the direct ferry link would initially carry 51,000 passengers a year, rising to 79,000, bringing an additional £11.5 million of spend to the Scottish economy.”
The new proposed route could become one of the longest ferry journeys in Europe.
But that title currently belongs to the service between to in , which lasts between 27 and 30 hours.
In the past, Scotland had a similar service between Rosyth and which previously connected to .
The overnight crossing took 17 hours and operated four times per week.
DFDS offers three routes from the UK to France – but these are from Dover and NewhavenCredit: Alamy
The route was discontinued in 2008, following six years of service.
It was reintroduced in 2009, but was pulled again in 2010 because of insufficient demand.
DFDS operates three main routes from the UK to .
These are from to , Dover to Dunkirk and to .
Currently, there are no direct passenger ferries from Scotland to mainland Europe.
Other routes DFDS offers include those to the Channel Islands from southern and the northernmost major ferry route from the UK from to .
Another ferry route connects Essex to the Netherlands...
Elsewhere in the UK, , a seaside town in , already has a direct ferry service to Europe.
Brits looking to head to the will be excited to know about Harwich’s ferry link to the Hook of Holland.
With a journey time of roughly seven hours, many tourists opt for the sleeper service so they can arrive in Holland early in the morning.
From the Dutch ferry port, Rotterdam is 40 minutes away by car, while a drive to takes just over an hour.
Meanwhile, a loved by royals was scrapped last year.
Plus, find out if on your next holiday.
DFDS is set to launch a route between Scotland and France in the New YearCredit: Alamy
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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