News and Updates

Due to the forecasted swell and tidal conditions at North Ronaldsay Pier on Tuesday 2nd September, the scheduled sailing has been amended to call at Papa Westray first, the new times are as follows:

Depart Kirkwall – 10:30

Arrive Papa Westray – 12:20

Depart Papa Westray – 12:50

Arrive North Ronaldsay – 14:05

Depart North Ronaldsay – 14:35

Arrive Kirkwall – 17:15

Due to present forecasts of strong winds and tidal conditions, a decision on whether it is safe to berth in North Ronaldsay will be made on approach to the pier.

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.