2025 Timetables
2025 Ferry timetables
Below you can find 2025 timetables for the NorthLink passenger ferries.
Timetables for sailings between
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen
Stromness to Scrabster and
Scrabster to Stromness
Timetables for the freight vessels can be found at https://freight.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables
Check-in opens 120 minutes prior to departure at Aberdeen and Lerwick and 90 minutes prior to departure at Hatston, Stromness and Scrabster.
Check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure at all ports and if you have not checked in at least 30 minutes prior to departure you will not be allowed on board.
Car drivers are recommended to check-in at least 1 hour prior to departure.
Timetables may be subject to weather related or technical delays – please Service Update for current sailing information.
Passengers travelling should at all times be aware that changes may be introduced at short notice. Those who are booked on affected sailings will be contacted.
1st April to 31st October 2025
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick (Northbound)
| Dep Aberdeen | Arr Kirkwall | Dep Kirkwall | Arr Lerwick | |
| Mon | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Tue | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Wed | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Thu | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Fri | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Sat | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Sun | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
1st April to 31st October 2025
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen (Southbound)
| Dep Lerwick | Arr Kirkwall | Dep Kirkwall | Arr Aberdeen | |
| Mon | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Tue | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Wed | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Thu | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Fri | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Sat | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Sun | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
1st November to 31st December 2025
Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick (Northbound)
| Dep Aberdeen | Arr Kirkwall | Dep Kirkwall | Arr Lerwick | |
| Mon | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Tue | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Wed | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Thu | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Fri | 19:00 | - | - | 07:30 |
| Sat | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
| Sun | 17:00 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:30 |
1st November to 31st December 2025
Lerwick – Kirkwall – Aberdeen (Southbound)
| Dep Lerwick | Arr Kirkwall | Dep Kirkwall | Arr Aberdeen | |
| Mon | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Tue | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Wed | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Thu | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Fri | 17:30 | 23:00 | 23:45 | 07:00 |
| Sat | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
| Sun | 19:00 | - | - | 07:00 |
On Friday 6th June 2025 (Junior Inter County) there will be an additional northbound Kirkwall call.
On Sunday 8th June 2025 (Junior Inter County) there will be an additional southbound Kirkwall call.
On Friday 11th July 2025 (Island Games) there will be an additional northbound Kirkwall call.
On Saturday 19th July 2025 (Island Games) there will be an additional southbound Kirkwall call.
On Monday 22nd December 2025 and Monday 29th December 2025 there will be additional (festive) southbound Kirkwall calls.
On Tuesday 23rd December 2025 and Tuesday 30th December 2025 there will be additional (festive) northbound Kirkwall calls.
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
1st January to 31st December 2025
* On Sunday 12th January 2025 the ferry will sail on the afternoon sailing only.
* On Sunday 13th July 2025 (Island Games), the 12:00 sailing is moved to 13:00.
* On Saturday 9th August 2025 (County Show day), the afternoon sailings will take place at 1745 and 20:00.
* Sunday 10th August is a 3 trip day.
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Peak Timetable (dates marked in pink)
| DEPARTURE TIMES Sailing time: 90 minutes | |||
| Stromness to Scrabster | 06:30 | 11:00 | 16:45 |
| Scrabster to Stromness | 08:45 | 13:15 | 19:00 |
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Weekend Timetable (dates marked in dark blue)
| DEPARTURE TIMES Sailing time: 90 minutes | ||
| Stromness to Scrabster | 09:00 | 16:45 |
| Scrabster to Stromness | 12:00 | 19:00 |
Stromness to Scrabster / Scrabster to Stromness
Off Peak Timetable (dates marked in light blue)
| DEPARTURE TIMES Sailing time: 90 minutes | ||
| Stromness to Scrabster | 06:30 | 16:45 |
| Scrabster to Stromness | 08:45 | 19:00 |
Christmas and New Year period
There will be no Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick or Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen sailings on Wednesday 24th December 2025, Thursday 25th December 2025, Wednesday 31st December 2025 or Thursday 1st 2026.
There will be no Stromness to Scrabster or Scrabster to Stromness sailings on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th December 2025, and no sailings on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd January 2026 – sailings on dates marked in grey above.
Dry Dock
Whilst passenger ships undergo scheduled maintenance annually in January, February and March, all ships may operate to an amended timetable.
Download a printable 2025 Timetables and Visitor Fares sheet
Download a printable 2025 Timetables and Islander Fares sheet