Travelling to Orkney
By Air:
Flights to Orkney are available via Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness and are operated by Flybe. www.flybe.com The airport information desk in Orkney is +44 (0) 1856 872421. If you choose to fly to Orkney you may enjoy some exhilarating aerial views as you head form the mainland of Scotland across the Pentland Firth to the mainland of Orkney over some of the smaller islands.
BY Rail/Bus/Ferry
You can travel to Orkney by rail or bus as far as Thurso, Wick or Aberdeen from any destination in the UK. A bus will then link you to a ferry at either Scrabster from Thurso, Gills Bay from Wick and in Aberdeen the railway station is a short distance from the Ferry. Customers are advised to check the local bus timetable. There, many taxi's are available it may be advisable to take a taxi to the ferry so as not to struggle with luggage. Local taxi numbers are Aberdeen +44 (0) 1224 494949 or +44 (0) 1224 878787.
Contact Scotrail +44 (0) 8457 484950, www.firstscotrail.co.uk
City Link +44 (0) 8705 505050, www.citylink.co.uk
The trip north is beautiful, very scenic and very enjoyable. If you choose to drive to the ferry you will follow the A9 from Inverness and should allow around three and a half to four hours, this gives you plenty of time to allow for traffic, comfort breaks and checking in to the ferry which is normally 30-45 mins before sailing. If you choose to sail from Scrabster this will take approx 90mins and you will dock at Stromness in Orkney. There are buses available but we run a very unique Taxi Service ourselves and can arrange to pick you up. Alternatively you may dock at St Margarets Hope if travelling from Gills Bay, which normally takes 50-60mins and again we can arrange to pick you up.
Alternately you may travel to Orkney by ferry from Aberdeen this ferry normally takes around 6hours and may be just for you if you enjoy time at sea. On route you can enjoy the facilities on board or the stunning views as you come across into Orkney.
There is also a Bus Service called The Orkney Bus running from Inverness to John 'O' Groats catching the ferry and continuing on to Kirkwall the main town in Orkney. This is only for passengers.
Here are some more useful numbers
Northlink ferries +44 (0)845 6000 449
www.northlinkferries.co.uk
Pentland Ferries +44 (0) 1856 831 226 or +44 (0) 1955 611733
www.pentlandferries.co.uk
Orkney Coaches +44 (0) 1856 870555
Highland Coaches/Rapsons +44 (0) 1463 710555
John 'O' Groat Ferry +44 (0) 1955 611 353
www.jogferry.co.uk
Visit Scotland +44 (0) 1856 872856
www.northlinkferries.co.uk
