News and Updates

We would like to advise customers that the 16:00 Kirkwall to Eday/Stronsay and subsequent return is under review.

This is due to the forecasted weather conditions.

An update will be issued by 14:00 tomorrow.

For more information, please visit our website and social media channels.

We would like to advise passengers that all sailings tomorrow on the MV Nordic Sea are now cancelled

This is due to forecasted weather and tidal conditions

We would like to advise customers that all sailings between Pierowall and Papa Westray on Thursday 18th September are under review.

This is due to forecasted weather conditions.

Updates will be provided as forecasts progress.

We would like to advise customers that the 15:00 sailing to Sanday and the subsequent return are under review

This is due to the forecasted weather conditions.

A final decision will be made tomorrow morning.

We would like to advise customers that the route of the Nordic Sea service on Friday the 26th September has been changed.

Timings will now be as follows-

Depart Kirkwall: 1330

Depart Eday: 1450

Depart Sanday: 1510

Depart Stronsay: 1540

Arrive Kirkwall: 1715

This is to facilitate the Ferry Replacement programme phase 1 community consultation in the isles.

For more information, please visit our website and social media channels.

We would like to advise customers that the Nordic Sea will be providing an additional foot passenger service between Kirkwall and Stronsay, Sanday & Eday from the 2nd June to 28th September.

The timetable for this service can be found here - Orkney Ferries | Timetables and Fares

All passengers wishing to use this service must book and make payment in advance of travel.

In response to customer feedback, and to facilitate onward travel from Westray we have replaced the 07:30 departure with a 07:00 and a 08:00 departure on the above route.

The sailing times will be as follows:

• Depart Pierowall 0700
• Arrive Papa Westray 0725
• Depart Papa Westray 0730
• Arrive Pierowall 0755

• Depart Pierowall 0800
• Arrive Papa Westray 0820
• Depart Papa Westray 0825
• Arrive Pierowall 0850

For more information on our timetables, please see Orkney Ferries | Timetables and Fares

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.

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

You can make bookings online - Orkney Ferries, or you can phone any of our offices to make your bookings - Orkney Ferries | Contact Us.

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).

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.