News and Updates

We would like to advise passengers that tomorrow’s service to North Ronaldsay will sail as follows

Depart Kirkwall 08:00hrs

Arrive N/Ron 10:40hrs

Depart N/Ron 11:00hrs

Arrive Kirkwall 13:40hrs

For the latest updates, head to our website or social media feeds

We would like to remind our customers, we will be conducting a 3-isle service to Stronsay, Sanday and Eday on Friday morning and all-day Saturday this week

For detailed information regarding the departure and arrival times, please see Orkney Ferries | Sailings for Special Events

This is due to the timetables changes made this weekend for the Westray Regatta

For the latest updates, head to our website or social media feeds

We would like to remind our customers, due to the timetables changes made this weekend for the Westray Regatta, our service to North Ronaldsay will sail on Friday instead

An update on the departure time will be provided on Thursday

Due to sailing on Friday, the gather for North Ronaldsay will now be conducted on Thursday the 25th from 08:00 to 12:00

For the latest updates, head to our website or social media feeds

We are delighted to share with customers our new foot passenger service which will sail between Stromness, Lyness & Flotta provided by the M.V. Nordic Sea.

This service will commence on Monday 8th July and will depart from the same place the M.V. Graemsay does in Stromness. The timetable can be found in our timetables page and will run until the end of the summer timetable.

All passengers wishing to utilise this service must book and pay in advance.

We hope that this new route will relieve pressure from our Houton service during the summer months and give passengers more flexibility with their travel.

We would like to remind customers as we move into our busiest time of year, there are limited car parking facilities at our Houton terminal.

To avoid disappointment, where possible we would like to encourage passengers wishing to travel from Houton as foot passengers to make use of the ample long stay car parking facilities in Kirkwall and to utilise bus services from Kirkwall & Stromness that go directly to the Houton terminal.

Further information on car parking facilities can be found here - Parking and Car Parks (orkney.gov.uk).

Further information on the bus timetables can be found here (Service 2 & Service 5) - Bus Services (orkney.gov.uk).

For the latest updates, head to our website or social media feeds.

We would like to remind customers that it is advisable to book all journeys even if you are travelling as foot passengers without vehicles.

We have recently noticed a large influx of foot passengers on our services. Prebooking avoids disappointment and ensures customers are guaranteed their space onboard.

This is particularly important as we move into our busiest time of year.

You can make bookings online - https://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/, or you can phone any of our offices to make your bookings - Orkney Ferries | Contact Us.

We would like to remind all passengers of the limited parking spaces at our Tingwall and Houton terminals

If you are travelling as a foot passenger, we would encourage you to make use of the bus services provided by Stagecoach

We would like to encourage our passengers to book travel as far in advance as possible

We are experiencing very high demand for our most popular routes, particularly those to Hoy

The easiest way to book is online, or you can always call one of our offices

Please be aware that payment on board the Westray to Papa Westray Service is cash only.

Alternatively payment can be made prior to travel by booking online or calling our customer service team.

Orkney Ferries offer customers a way to receive disruption and cancellation messages to a smart phone or computer via Telegram.

Telegram is a free and simple messaging app with a focus on speed and security.

You can use Telegram on smartphones, tablets, and even computers. It’s very easy to use and only requires a name and mobile phone number to create an account.

To receive updates from please download the Telegram app from your app store, set up your account and then return to this page and select our unique link, which you can access by clicking here - Orkney Ferries Telegram Channel

Once on the channel you will be messaged with any updates on disruptions or cancellations in real time.