May 2024 NorthLink news round-up

Saturday 1st June 2024

It has been another busy month at NorthLink Ferries as we prepare for the busy summer season ahead. This month, we were delighted to host the Orkney Nature Cruise to kickstart the Orkney Nature Festival, announced our latest competition winners, and showed our support for Orkney and Shetland’s folk music scene. Keep reading below to find out more!

Wednesday 1st May:

The Shetland Folk Festival, held at the beginning of May, is the most northerly folk festival in the UK and is regarded as a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike.

As part of one of campaigns this year, NorthLink Ferries are encouraging visitors to get off the beaten paths in search of the islands’ hidden gems and away from the most popular attractions, to spread awareness of everything the islands have to offer. Amongst those gems is the traditional folk music which the islands celebrate and, of course, the musicians themselves.

Partnering with Shetland Folk Festival, as the first in NorthLink’s Hidden Sounds series, NorthLink Ferries provided a donation to support the running costs of these rural gigs at North Roe and Baltasound, Unst. The concerts were a great success, and featured bands such as The Hackles, Kirsten Adamson & The Tanagers, the Ross Couper Band and Scott Moncrieff!

Hamnavoe Nature Cruise as part of Orkney Nature Festival
Hamnavoe Nature Cruise as part of Orkney Nature Festival photo © Copyright NorthLink Ferries

Sunday 12th May:

We were delighted to host our annual Orkney Nature Festival Cruise on MV Hamnavoe. In previous years, this was the finale of the Orkney Nature Festival, but this year, the popular event was deemed a superb way to kick off the week!

It is a unique opportunity to circumnavigate the isle of Hoy onboard the MV Hamnavoe while being able to spot amazing seabirds and marine life, with commentary and guides to advise, as well as tastings of local produce!

The event sold out with over 400 passengers onboard! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and we hope you all enjoyed the day as much as we did.

Monday 20th May:

This year, one of our campaigns: ‘Onward, Voyager, feel invigorated in the wind’, encourages visitors to embrace the windy weather in Orkney and Shetland as a means to blow the cobwebs away and reset the mind.

Over the last month, we ran a competition where our followers could share their windy photos for a change to win a trip for two people, to or from Orkney or Shetland, with the two runners up winning a £100 NorthLink gift voucher.

We are delighted to congratulate the overall winner, Heather Anderson, and our two runners up: Dominic Lamb and Sally Sanford. For more competitions and opportunities to win great prizes, keep an eye on our social media and website.

Thursday 30th May:

We were excited to recently announce that NorthLink Ferries will be hosting a concert in Orkney starring FARA – one of Orkney’s best known and loved musical exports! The concert will take place on Friday 9th August and be exclusively for NorthLink Ferries customers, with tickets being free of charge.

Set within the red sandstone walls of the St Magnus Cathedral, the concert is sure to be very special indeed. Tickets will be available to book soon – you can find out more information at https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/fara/.

Cars travelling to the Shetland Classic Car Show
Classic cars at the Aberdeen Ferry Terminal, ready to board the ferry to Shetland photo © Copyright Amy Leith

Friday 31st May:

Over the past couple of days, we have been welcoming many beautiful classic cars on board at our Ferry Terminal in Aberdeen as they make their way up to Shetland for the Shetland Classic Motor Show, which takes place on the 1st and 2nd June 2024 at the Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick.

NorthLink Ferries are proud to be a sponsor for this event, and we hope all travelling there and participating have a fantastic weekend!

Header image: Setting sail on the Hamnavoe Nature Cruise photo © Copyright NorthLink Ferries