Let NorthLink Ferries take you on a voyage of discovery to the islands of Orkney and Shetland.

With NorthLink Ferries, travelling to Orkney and Shetland is more convenient than ever before. Choose from up to three sailings a day from Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness in Orkney and nightly sailings from Aberdeen to Lerwick in Shetland - with four of these sailings going via Orkney’s capital, Kirkwall.

  • Islander information

    NorthLink Ferries are proud to provide a lifeline ferry service for Northern Isles residents. Visit this section to find travel tips, islander fares, how to register as an islander, how to retrieve your islands ID and more for Orcadians and Shetlanders.

  • Latest News

    NorthLink Ferries has confirmed that, allowing for successful sea trials on Sunday, the MV Hamnavoe will return to Orkney on Monday and resume her timetabled service on Tuesday 21 May, three days earlier than expected.

  • Travel Trade

    NorthLink Ferries are delighted to offer prices to the group market travelling to Orkney and Shetland. We can also help you with local guiding and itinerary planning to ensure a memorable and smooth running tour.

  • Freight

    Our ships are designed to carry loads of varying size, from cars to over-sized heavy goods vehicles, live animals and fish, temperature-controlled foodstuffs, dangerous goods, containers, heavy lift equipment and project cargoes.

Your Holiday in Orkney and Shetland

Every year, Orkney and Shetland draw even more visitors to their shores. There are many reasons why people travel north; some are returning to see family and friends or the sights and sounds of ‘home’, some are attracted by the world-class music, crafts, wildlife, history and archaeology and some simply want to experience the peace, quiet and open spaces that the islands have in abundance.

Visit our Orkney and Shetland pages below to find out more about what these spectacular islands have to offer!