NorthLink Ferries is to reintroduce its Family & Friends discount travel scheme next month. The company has also indicated that after its initial two-month run the popular format will then return for a further 14-week period later in the year.

The web-based offer will be reintroduced from May 1 and will run until June 30. It will then return for the period September 1 – December 18.

As before, the scheme will see registered islanders invited to nominate up to six ‘Family & Friend’ households outwith the Northern Isles. All members of that household would then qualify for the 30 per cent discount currently enjoyed by islanders registered with NorthLink’s islander discount travel scheme.

The F&F discount scheme was re-introduced as a web-based offer for two travel periods in 2008 and it has run annually since then.

Participation in the scheme is possible only via the NorthLink website and registration will be possible with immediate effect. Islanders wishing to sign-up, or re-sign, can register online now and immediately start nominating family and friends.

The promotion, which applies to passengers and their cars but not cabins, will cover all Hamnavoe sailings across the Pentland Firth and all Hjaltland and Hrossey sailings between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles, excluding the Friday southbound and Sunday northbound services which prove to be particularly popular with islanders themselves.

This is also an opportunity for any Orkney and Shetland residents not yet registered with NorthLink for the 30 per cent Islander Travel Discount Scheme to sign up. Only registered Islanders can nominate their chosen family and friends to participate in the F&F initiative. Nominees will then receive their unique ID and password, required for travel, direct to their own email address.

NorthLink commercial director Cynthia Spencer, said: “The F&F scheme has proved to be a huge hit with islanders, their families and friends. Following many requests from customers we are pleased to be able to offer the 30 per cent travel discount again. Islanders can start nominating their six F&F households today.”