News and Updates

We would like to inform passengers that sailing times for the Outer North Isles between Sunday 30th March and Thursday 3rd April have been amended to fit the Refit timetable and are open again for bookings.

All customers affected by the changes have been contacted.

We regret to inform passengers that we have had to extend the refit period for an additional 5 days to Thursday the 3rd April.

This is due to more extensive engine repair work that is required on the MV Earl Thorfinn.

Our team are working to resolve this as quickly as possible; we now expect the vessel return to service on the 4^th April.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We are expecting the return of the final North Isles vessel, the MV Earl Thorfinn, on the 3rd of April.

Until then, we continue to operate as per the refit timetable.

Refit this year has been extended due to a repair required on the MV Earl Sigurd during her refit in January.

We are pleased to announce our online booking system is now open for the summer timetable

This timetable will run from 4th May 2025 to 28th September 2025

Bookings can be made here: https://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/

We would like to remind our North Isles customers, our refit period will commence on Sunday 5th January through to Thursday 3rd of April.

For latest timetables please see the following link Orkney Ferries | Timetables and Fares

MV Nordic Sea will be offering an additional service for foot passengers between Kirkwall, Sanday, Stronsay and Eday. This service will run from Monday to Friday, commencing on Monday the 6th of January and terminating on Friday the 7th of March.

Passengers wishing to use this service will need to book and make payment in advance of travel, booking is available via our website www.orkneyferries.co.uk or by calling our offices during opening hours on 01856 872044.

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.