Getting to Orkney

By Ferry

Northlink Ferries : The Hamnavoe sails from Scrabster to Stromness 3 times daily. The journey time is 90 minutes. The Hrossey sails from Aberdeen to Kirkwall four times weekly as part of the Shetland-Kirkwall-Aberdeen service, and the journey time is around six-seven hours. The Hrossey usually arrives in Kirkwall around Midnight.

You can travel to the departure ports by Citylink bus if you are not using a vehicle.brinkies450.jpg

Pentland Ferries : The new Catermeran MV Pentalina sails from Gills Bay to St. Margaret’s Hope 3 times daily and is known as the short sea crossing. The prices are competitive and journey time is now less than 50 minutes.

John O’Groats Ferry : A foot passenger ferry operates daily during the summer from John O'Groats to Burwick on the southern tip of Orkney. It takes about 45 minutes to cross the Pentland Firth. No vehicles taken, but cycles allowed.

Buses to Kirkwall connect with the ferry. They also manage the Orkney Bus service from Inverness-Kirkwall.

 

By Air

Kirkwall Airport HIAL: You can fly into Kirkwall via Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Gasgow or Inverness from any major airport. Check FlyBe for flights and prices.

Kirkwall airport was rebuilt in 2001 and is now a very comfortable and modern place to be. Real time flight information is available.

 

Getting to the Outer Islands

Loganair are now subcontracted by Flybe to manage both the main National Scottish flights and the inter-island service which flies to most of the smaller inhabited islands. They offer various Charter packages which are good value and good fun to do when you are here.

Orkney Ferries : Run the inter-island Ro-Ro vehilcle ferry service linking the Mainland to thirteen of the smaller islands. Certain sailing’s are somewhat under resourced and very popular in the Summer (Hoy especially) so if you want to make sure book well in advance.

 

Car Hire

Unless camping and backpacking, then to fully enjoy Orkney you must have access to a car while here, public transport is patchy at best and using taxis would soon become very expensive.

Driving in Orkney is a pleasure but the the mileage rises rapidly without notice. Even super-fit cyclists would benefit from car access to get about.

Local Car Hire is easy and convenient but you are advised to book as early as you can to guarantee the type of vehicle you want and availability.

These are the main operators:

Drive Orkney

Orkney Car Hire

Norman Brass

W R Tullock

John G. Shearer