CLondoner92 (New Account)<p>From 23 June 2025, young people aged 19–21 living on <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Scottish" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Scottish</span></a> islands will be eligible for concessionary ferry vouchers for travel to the mainland. The scheme, part of the 2025–26 <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/transport" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>transport</span></a> budget, offers four free single (or two return) trips per year and already supports those aged 16–18 and full-time volunteers up to 25. Covering <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Orkney" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Orkney</span></a>, <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Shetland" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Shetland</span></a>, the Outer <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Hebrides" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Hebrides</span></a>, and islands in North <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Ayrshire" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Ayrshire</span></a>, <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Argyll" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Argyll</span></a> and <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Bute" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Bute</span></a>, and <a href="https://mastodonapp.uk/tags/Highland" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Highland</span></a> Council areas, the expansion builds on the Scottish Government’s Islands Connectivity Plan. It follows the introduction of free inter-island ferry travel for under-22s. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said the move will help young islanders access work, education, and opportunities, while the government continues to explore further transport support for island communities.<br><a href="https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/concessionary-ferry-vouchers-scheme-extended/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">transport.gov.scot/news/conces</span><span class="invisible">sionary-ferry-vouchers-scheme-extended/</span></a></p>