Information about respondents and why they use NIFS services
The main consultation asked respondents questions about themselves and their use of the NIFS network.
Which of the following best describes you?
Individual respondents were asked to select which type of respondent best described them. A small number of individual respondents noted a connection to a business (Shetland, Orkney or mainland based) but submitted their response as an individual rather than an organisation.
| Respondent type | Total |
|---|---|
| NIFS network resident - Orkney | 256 |
| NIFS network business - Orkney based | 3 |
| Orkney total | 259 |
| % Orkney based | 23% |
| NIFS network resident - Shetland | 730 |
| NIFS network business - Shetland based | 8 |
| Shetland total | 738 |
| % Shetland based | 67% |
| NIFS network user - Scottish mainland | 49 |
| NIFS network business - Scottish mainland based | 4 |
| NIFS visitor or tourist | 37 |
| Other (i.e. completing on behalf of a group) | 4 |
| (Not answered) | 16 |
| All other individuals | 110 |
| % other individuals | 10% |
| All individual respondents | 1107 |
Of the 1107 individual respondents, a majority – 67% – were Shetland based and 23% were Orkney based, meaning that overall, 90% of individual respondents were island based. Among the remaining 10%, the largest group were NIFS network users based on the Scottish mainland, followed by NIFS visitors or tourists.
If you selected business, please advise which type of business you represent (i.e. haulier, livestock, fisheries, energy, hospitality etc)
The list below covers those respondents who indicated an association with a NIFS network business (including those that are based in mainland Scotland) but submitted their response as an individual rather than an organisation. It also includes a small number of respondents who identified themselves as a resident at the previous question but then went on to note a type of business at this question.
| Types of business | n |
|---|---|
| Charity | 1 |
| Cheese production | 1 |
| Education | 2 |
| Fisheries | 3 |
| Healthcare | 1 |
| Hospitality | 2 |
| Livestock | 1 |
| Tourism | 2 |
| Telecoms | 1 |
| Transport | 1 |
| Supplier to aquaculture industry | 1 |
| Weather | 1 |
| Whisky | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
If you live on the mainland, please advise which local authority area you live in
| Local authority area | n |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen City (Includes both 'Aberdeen' and 'Aberdeen City) | 9 |
| Aberdeenshire (Includes 'Grampian' as Aberdeenshire) | 14 |
| Argyll and Bute | 3 |
| City of Edinburgh | 9 |
| Clackmannanshire | 1 |
| East/Mid/West Lothian (Includes two unspecified 'Lothian') | 5 |
| Fife | 6 |
| Glasgow City | 2 |
| Highland (Includes 'Caithness', 'Ross-shire' and 'Inverness' as Highland) | 10 |
| Moray | 3 |
| Perth and Kinross | 3 |
| South Lanarkshire | 3 |
| Total in mainland Scotland | 68 |
| Elsewhere in UK | 9 |
| Total | 77 |
Around a third of respondents living on the Scottish mainland lived in either Aberdeenshire or Aberdeen City, with Highland Council and City of Edinburgh the next most frequent. Only nine respondents reported living outside Scotland.
Which route do you use most frequently?
Table 6 below sets out the routes used most frequently by individual respondents, according to whether they are Orkney based, Shetland based and then ‘all other individuals’.
| Most frequently used route | Aberdeen - Kirkwall | Aberdeen - Lerwick | Kirkwall - Lerwick | Scrabster - Stromness | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIFS resident - Orkney | 82 | 2 | 13 | 161 | 258 |
| Percentage | 32% | 1% | 5% | 62% | 100% |
| NIFS resident - Shetland | 1 | 723 | 9 | 0 | 733 |
| Percentage | 0% | 99% | 1% | 0% | 100% |
| All other individuals | 6 | 66 | 0 | 21 | 93 |
| Percentage | 6% | 71% | 0% | 23% | 100% |
| All individuals | 89 | 791 | 22 | 182 | 1084 |
| Percentage | 8% | 73% | 2% | 17% | 100% |
Overall respondents used the Aberdeen - Lerwick service most frequently (73% of those who answered the question) although this rose to 99% of Shetland residents. Orkney residents were most likely to use the Scrabster – Stromness route (62%), although a substantial minority (32%) indicated that they use Aberdeen – Kirkwall most frequently. Other individuals were most likely to use Aberdeen –Lerwick, followed by Scrabster – Stromness.
Why do you mainly use NIFS network services?
Table 7 sets out the main reasons why individuals use NIFS services. Respondents were able to select more than one answer at this question. As respondents were able to select more than one option, the percentages set out represent frequencies and do not sum to 100%.
| Purpose of use of NIFS network services | For business | For work/ education | For personal/ leisure | For freight | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network resident - Orkney (n=259) | 21 | 27 | 248 | 6 | 11 |
| Percentage | 8% | 10% | 96% | 2% | 4% |
| Network resident -Shetland (n=738) | 48 | 114 | 718 | 28 | 64 |
| Percentage | 7% | 15% | 97% | 4% | 9% |
| All other individual respondents (n=110) | 7 | 4 | 84 | 0 | 11 |
| Percentage | 6% | 4% | 76% | 0% | 10% |
| All individual respondents (n=1107) | 76 | 145 | 1050 | 34 | 86 |
| Percentage | 7% | 13% | 95% | 3% | 8% |
Individual respondents in all three groups were most likely to use NIFS services mainly for personal/leisure use, with work/education being the second most frequent reason among residents of both Orkney and Shetland (albeit at a slightly higher frequency for Shetlanders).
Among respondents who explained their ‘other’ reasons for using NIFS services the most frequent reason given was attending hospital or other medical appointments, followed by visiting family and attending or participating in sporting events.
How frequently do you use NIFS services?
Responses for individual respondents are illustrated in Chart 1 below with a full numerical breakdown in Annex 2.
From the choices given on the consultation questionnaire, respondents were most likely to say they use NIFS services ‘occasionally’ (Orkney – 61%, Shetland – 63%, other – 59%), followed by ‘once a month’ (Orkney – 22%, Shetland – 13%, Other – 5%).
Among respondents who explained their ‘other’ frequencies, the most common were twice a year and two-three times a year. Other more frequent answers were:
- three or three-four times a year
- four, four-five or four-six times a year
- six times a year
- less often than desired, use being restricted by availability of cabin/vehicle space and or price
Relatively few ‘other’ frequencies were more than six trips per year.
How old are you?
Responses for individual respondents are set out in Chart 2 below with a full numerical breakdown set out in Annex 2.
Overall, respondents were most likely to fall in the 55-64 age bracket, followed by 45-54. While distributions for Orkney and Shetland were relatively similar, the ‘other individuals’ category was slightly different, with the highest number in the 65-74 bracket. Very few respondents were under the age of 22. There was no category for those under 16.
Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
Responses for individual respondents are set out in Table 8 below.
| Purpose of use of NIFS network services | Yes | No | Prefer not to say | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIFS network resident - Orkney | 40 | 208 | 8 | 256 |
| Percentage | 16% | 81% | 3% | 100% |
| NIFS network resident - Shetland | 100 | 594 | 34 | 728 |
| Percentage | 14% | 82% | 5% | 100% |
| All other individual respondents | 12 | 81 | 5 | 98 |
| Percentage | 12% | 83% | 5% | 100% |
| Total individuals | 152 | 883 | 47 | 1082 |
| % of individuals | 14% | 82% | 4% | 100% |
Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Amongst individual respondents, 14% of those who answered the question said that they have a disability.