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Orkney Islands Accommodation

Stromness is the terminal for ferries from Scotland to Orkney

Orkney Ferries run Inter-island ferry services from Kirkwall harbour

John O'Groats Ferries run services into Burwick on South Ronaldsay

Book ferries well in advance & check timetables for inter-island connections

Bike hire is available on Mainland Orkney

Scottish Island Hopping Ferries Orkney Islands Shapinsay Westray Stronsay Sanday

There are several options for travelling to the Orkney Islands by ferry. Departure points are from Aberdeen or Scrabster, Gills Bay or John O'Groats on the Caithness coast. Ferries either pull into the ferry terminal at Halston near Kirkwall on the eastern side of Mainland or Stromness ferry terminal on the west side of Mainland Orkney.

Orkney Ferries run inter-island services from Kirkwall to the following Orkney islands: Shapinsay, Westray, Stronsay and Sanday. Although it is tempting to try and visit various by day-trips, you'll be able to appreciate them more by taking a little more time over your visits.

Featured Scotland Accommodation

Richmond Villa - St Margarets Hope

Richmond Villa offers bed and breakfast accommodation in double and twin en-suite rooms in St Margaret's Hope on the beautiful Isles of Orkney

£23 to £28 Per person B&B

Northlink Ferries from Aberdeen Scotland to Kirkwall Orkney Islands

Northlink Ferries' car passenger service from Aberdeen to Lerwick in Shetland stops off at Kirkwall four times a week between April to October.

The journey from Aberdeen to Kirkwall takes 6 hours. You can take vehicles or just travel as a foot passenger. Cabins are also available.

The new terminal for the ferry is actually 2 miles out of Kirkwall town centre at Hatson. Check their website, link right, for journey times and prices. It is best to check for the latest sailing information for Kirkwall direct in case departure or arrival times have changed on Tel: 0845 6000 449.

NorthLink Ferries also offer cruise packages to and from Shetland and Orkney. Check the NorthLink Ferries website for up-to-date information on timetables and fares.

Northlink Ferries from Scrabster to Stromness Orkney Islands

Northlink Ferries run a regular car passenger ferry service from Scrabster near Thurso in Caithness to Stromness in West Orkney. Three sailings run from Scrabster daily on the MV Hamnavoe, a large 20 passenger cabin ship with restaurants, creche and lounges on board. They pride themselves on the quality of the food and a cream tea features in the day trip ticket.

The crossing takes just one and half hours and you can get some excellent views of the Caithness coastline including Dunnet Head and the Orkney island of Hoy as the ferry nears Stromness. Northink offer day trip tours from Scrabster which is a good introduction to Mainland Orkney but doesn't give you much time for exploring all that Orkney has to offer.

The ferry docks at Stromness harbour where the ferry terminal also houses the excellent VisitOrkney Tourist Information Office. Buses meet the ferry for onward travel across the island to Kirkwall. The centre of Stromness is a short walk from the ferry terminal.

NorthLink Ferries Ltd, Kiln Corner, Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1QX. For reservations and bookings tel: 0845 6000 449. Email: info@northlinkferries.co.uk

John O'Groats Ferries Caithness to Burwick South Ronaldsay Orkney

John O'Groats Ferries run a service from John O'Groats int the far north east of Scotland to Burwick on South Ronaldsay which is connected to Mainland Orkney by the Churchill Barriers. The ferry crossing takes just 40 minutes. A connecting coach takes you to Kirkwall once on Orkney.

They also offer tours of Orkney, including ones from Inverness, as well as a 90 minute Wildlife Tour. Services run every day from 1 May to 30 September. Two services each way run throughout most of the year around four from July to September. Check their website for the latest details on crossings and prices. Email to make a booking.

John O'Groats Ferries Limited, The Ferry Office, John O'Groats, Caithness KW1 4YR. Tel: 01955 611353 or 01955 611342. Fax: 01955 611301. Email: office@jogferry.co.uk

Pentland Ferries Gills Bay Caithness to St Margaret's Hope South Ronaldsay Orkney

Pentland Ferries run a ferry crossing from Gills Bay, west of John O'Groats in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

The crossing takes just an hour and four run a day in summer and three in winter. Fewer crossings run on Sundays. Check their website for the latest details on crossings and prices. The ferries take both foot passengers and vehicles but you do need to book in advance.

Phone or book online by contacting Pentland Ferries, Pier Road, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SW. Tel: 01856 831226.

Ferry Travel to Orkney Islands

It is tempting to try and visit the other Orkney Islands in a day trip. In reality this is often difficult as the earlier and later sailings, popular for day-trips, get booked up quickly as the ferries can only take up to 12 cars and 91 passengers.

To fully explore the islands you invariably need you're your own car as public transport can be limited and there are few services on the islands themselves. Bike hire is available in Kirkwall and Stromness but not on the islands. It is far better to at least stay overnight on the islands and make sure you book your ferry crossing well in advance, even before you arrive in Orkney - staff manning the booking office can be a bit thin on the ground if you're trying to organise ferry trips once you arrive in Orkney.

Check the Orkney Ferry website for up-to-date timetables and prices. An online booking system is being developed but for the moment you are better ringing up or emailing your booking enquiry.Email:info@orkneyferries.co.uk

Orkney Ferries, Shore Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1LG. Tel: 01856 872044 Fax: 01856 872921.

Orkney Ferries Inter-Island Ferries Kirkwall to Shapinsay, Westray, Stronsay and Sanday

Orkney Ferries run services from Kirkwall to most of the larger Orkney Islands including Shapinsay, Westray, Stronsay and Sanday.

The Shapinsay Ferry leaves Kirkwall harbour from the slipway on the west side of Kirkwall's pier near the lifeboat station. There are around six sailings during the week in the summer with fewer in winter. The journey takes around 25 minutes and lands at Balfour, Shapinsay's main village.

Ferry crossings to Stronsay, Sanday and Westray vary during the week so consult the most up-to-date timetables for timings. Sailings may not serve the islands every day of the week. Again space is limited so it is best to book journeys well in advance. Check the Orkney Ferries website for up-to-date information.

Orkney Ferries Inter-Island Ferries Stromness to Hoy

A small passenger-only ferry, run by Orkney Ferries, also departs from Stromness to the island of Hoy. The trip takes you to the north end of Hoy to Moness and takes around 25 minutes. It also stops at Graemsay on the way, a small island between Mainland and Hoy. Check Orkney Ferries website for timetables and prices. All enquires for the Graemsay/Hoy ferry must be made through Stevie Mowat on tel: 01856 850 624.

Orkney Ferries, Shore Street, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1LG. Tel: 01856 872044. Fax: 01856 872921. Email: info@orkneyferries.co.uk

Ferries to Copinsay Island Nature Reserve

Copinsay is a small island off the East Mainland coast and can be seen from Mull Head on the Deerness Peninsula.

It is owned by the RSPB who manage it as a bird reserve. The island supports huge colonies of breeding seabirds including fulmars, puffins, kittwakes, guillemots and razorbills. You can also see grey seals who haul out on the island.

The island may not be accessible for everyone so contact the reserve on tel: 01856 850176 to check first.

Day trips run from Skaill on Mainland Orkney. Contact S Foubister for more details. Tel: 01856 741252.

Bike Hire Orkney Islands

Crossing to Orkney and its islands by ferry and exploring them by bike appears to be an attractive way to travel. Be warned though - cycling can be difficult on the Orkney Islands as their exposed and undulating nature means they're subject to strong winds and the hills which at first sight might seem relatively flat are actually long and gradual which can make it hard going. However, if you're not put off you can hire bikes at the following places:

Paterson's Cycle Centre Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall, Orkney, Tel: 01856 873097

Orkney Cycle Hire 54 Dundas Street, Stromness, Orkney, Tel: 01856 850255

Orkney Ferries Inter-Island Ferries Kirkwall to Sanday

Orkney Ferries run services from Kirkwall to Sanday. The ferry leaves from Kirkwall pier and arrives in Loth on Sanday at the south western end of the island. The journey takes one hour and twenty minutes.

Ferry crossings to Sanday vary during the week so consult the most up-to-date timetables for timings. Sailings may not serve the islands every day of the week. Again space is limited so it is best to book journeys well in advance. Check the Orkney Ferries website for up-to-date information.

Featured Scotland Accommodation

Richmond Villa - St Margarets Hope

Richmond Villa offers bed and breakfast accommodation in double and twin en-suite rooms in St Margaret's Hope on the beautiful Isles of Orkney

£23 to £28 Per person B&B

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