Since Orkney doesn’t have a bridge (like Skye), most visitors arrive by ferry as foot passengers planning to join a pre-booked tour or with a car ready for a road trip.
There are three options for getting the ferry.
Aberdeen to Kirkwall with NorthLink
Scrabster (Near Thurso) to Stromness with NorthLink
Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope with Pentland Ferries
I took the ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and stayed in Kirkwall for three nights.
Then, for my last night in Orkney, I moved to Stromness.
I left the island from there early in the morning and drove from Scrabster to Perthshire, where I stayed overnight to break up my journey home to Fife.
Ferry Routes to Orkney
Three car ferries connect Orkney to the mainland. NorthLink runs Scrabster to Stromness (roughly 90 minutes) past the Old Man of Hoy, and an overnight Aberdeen to Kirkwall sailing of about six hours. Pentland Ferries takes the shortest hop, Gills Bay to St Margarets Hope, in around an hour. In summer the passenger-only John o Groats ferry adds a seasonal foot route.
The Crossing Experience
The Scrabster sailing is the scenic one – you pass the 137-metre sea stack the Old Man of Hoy and the red cliffs of Hoy on the approach to Stromness. Crossings can be lively when a westerly is blowing, so pack travel-sickness tablets if you are prone. The Aberdeen overnight service has cabins and a bar, turning the journey into part of the trip.
Who It Suits
Bringing a car is the sensible choice for Orkney – the sites are spread across the Mainland and the outer isles, and public transport is thin. Book vehicle space well ahead for July and August. Foot passengers on a budget can use the seasonal John o Groats crossing and pick up local buses or tours on arrival.
Practical Tips
Book car space early for peak summer sailings,Check the forecast – crossings can be cancelled in gales,Arrive at the terminal 30-45 minutes before departure,Bring layers even in summer – it is breezy on deck,Fill up with fuel before you sail; island prices are higher
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quickest ferry to Orkney?
The Pentland Ferries crossing from Gills Bay near John o Groats to St Margarets Hope is the shortest, taking about an hour. NorthLink from Scrabster to Stromness is a little longer at roughly 90 minutes but lands you closer to the western Neolithic sites.
Do I need to bring a car to Orkney?
A car makes exploring far easier because Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and Yesnaby are scattered across the Mainland with limited buses. If you would rather not drive, base yourself in Kirkwall or Stromness and join guided day tours to reach the outlying sites.
