News and Updates

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 – 12:00 / 13:00 - 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 – 12:00 / 13:00 - 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.

We would like to advise passengers that the service from Kirkwall to Papa Westray and return this coming Friday 19th December is now under review.

This is due to current forecasted weather conditions.

All further updates will be posted on our website and social media channels.

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.

We regret to advise customers that after further investigation of the reported engine issues on the Hoy Head, repairs are now anticipated to take an additional week with an expected return to service by the 22nd December.

This means that the Thorsvoe will be in service for an additional week and capacity will be reduced.

We have contacted all passengers whose bookings have been affected by the change in vessel.

Bookings for the week commencing 15^th December are open for online and over the phone bookings and we recommend those travelling with a vehicle to book in advance.

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 20th October to Saturday 28th December.

We would like to advise passengers that this morning's sailing to and from Westray will be delayed by 20 minutes.

We would like to advise passengers that this morning's sailing to and from Westray will be delayed by 20 minutes.

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.