Ferries are an important means of transportation to reach Scotland and explore the Scottish islands. The main ferry route from continental Europe to Scotland is across the North Sea from Amsterdam to Newcastle in northern England, just a short drive from the Scottish border. Further ferry connections exist from Northern Ireland across the Irish Sea, making Scotland easily accessible from the west. Within Scotland, ferries offer connections to the many island groups, including the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands and the Hebrides.