News and Updates

We would like to advise customers that there will be a change of timetable on the above route on Monday 5th January due to the amber weather warning in place for heavy snowfall overnight with poor road conditions anticipated.

This service will sail via Kirkwall instead of Tingwall tomorrow, with the full timetable below.

• Depart Rousay - 0910
• Depart Egilsay - 0930
• Depart Wyre - 0950
• Depart Rousay - 1005
• Arrive Kirkwall - 1110
• Depart Kirkwall -1120
• Arrive Rousay - 1225
• Depart Rousay - 1405
• Arrive Kirkwall - 1510
• Depart Kirkwall - 1530
• Depart Rousay - 1635
• Depart Egilsay - 1655
• Depart Wyre - 1715
• Arrive Rousay - 1720

We have tried to contact all customers with existing bookings – we have left voicemails for customers who we have been unable to reach and new booking confirmations have been sent where possible.

This temporary adjustment to the timetable is not bookable online therefore anyone wishing to book on this service will need to phone or email one of our offices.

We regret to advise customers that the 06:15 Nordic Sea departure and subsequent returns have been cancelled.

This is due to crew not being able to reach the vessel safely.

All effected customers have been contacted.

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

We regret to advise that the Hoy Head Service to Hoy and Flotta this afternoon (4th January).

The first departure on Monday 5^th January is also cancelled.

We hope that the service will recommence from the 0845 departure from Lyness, however this will be dependent on crew safely reaching the vessel.

Updates will be provided as soon as they are available.

The Met Office have issued a weather warning for snow and ice across the Highlands and Islands over the new year period.

Please be aware that this may cause disruption to sailings if crew are unable to travel to access the vessels safely or pier staff are unable to access piers.

Updates will be provided when received.

We would like to advise that the Nordic Sea will be providing a foot passenger service to Eday Sanday and Stronsay over the winter months.

The timetable is available here or in our Kirkwall Office, and can be booked online or over the phone.

This service will run from Monday 29th December - Saturday 31st January*.

*Please note that the service does not run on the 1st or 2nd January

We are happy to announce that our summer timetables from the 3rd May – 27th September 2026 are now open for bookings through our offices or online booking system.

We are happy to announce that our summer timetables from the 3rd May – 27th September 2026 are now open for bookings through our offices or online booking system.

Over the festive period our offices will be open for bookings and assistance, however hours of operation will change.

KIRKWALL OFFICE

• Monday 22nd December: 07:00 – 17:00
• Tuesday 23rd December: 07:00 - 17:00
• Wednesday 24th December: 07:00 - 15:00*
• Thursday 25th & Friday 26th December: Closed
• Saturday 27th December: 09:00 – 12:00 / 13:00 – 15:00
• Sunday 28th December: 09:00 - 15:00
• Monday 29th December: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00*
• Tuesday 30th December: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00*
• Wednesday 31st December: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00*
• Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd January: Closed
• Saturday 3rd January: 09:00 – 12:00 / 13:00 – 15:00*
• Sunday 4th January: 09:00 - 15:00

HOUTON OFFICE

• Monday 22nd December: 07:30 - 15:30
• Tuesday 23rd December: 07:30 - 12:00
• Wednesday 24th - Sunday 28th December: Closed
• Monday 29th December: 09:00 - 17:00
• Tuesday 30th December: 09:00 - 17:00
• Wednesday 31st December: 09:00 - 17:00
• Thursday 1st - Sunday 4th January: Closed

TINGWALL OFFICE

• Monday 22nd December: 08:00 - 17:00
• Tuesday 23rd December: 08:00 - 17:00
• Wednesday 24th December: 08:00 - 15:00*
• Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th December: Closed
• Monday 29th December: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
• Tuesday 30th December: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
• Wednesday 31st December: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
• Thursday 1st - Sunday 4th January: Closed

* - Opening hours may be extended in the event of disruptions

All offices will be open as per normal opening hours from Monday 5th January 2026.

Schedule for Christmas Period as below:

North Ronaldsay

Over the Christmas period Tuesday flights will go as scheduled on the 23^rd & 30^th December, and the 6^th January. The gather for flights will remain as normal.

Our vessels will sail as scheduled (weather permitting) on Saturday 27^th December and Saturday 3^rd January.

Due to the bank holidays, the gather for these sailings will now be on Wednesday 24^th and Wednesday 31^st December between 08:00 and 12:00.

Papa Westray

There will be no sailings to Papa Westray on the 26^th December and 2^nd January due to the bank holiday.

Sailings will go ahead as scheduled (weather permitting) on the 23^rd & 30^th December and 6^th January. The gather for these sailings will remain as normal.

Orkney Ferries offers 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.

- Please note, Telegram is an internationally used social media site/app meaning users may be suspect to receiving spam messages from unknown accounts. When creating a profile to join our channel, be sure to set your Privacy and Security settings to limit Invites and Forwarded Messages.