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Scrabster

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Scrabster Ferry Terminal and MV Hamnavoe with Thurso in the background
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For passengers travelling to and  from Scrabster on Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Please be advised that, as part of a multi-agency emergency exercise, a temporary road closure will be in place on the A9 at Georgemas Junction from 09:00 to 15:00 on Wednesday 23rd September 2026.

Clearly signposted diversion routes will be available throughout the closure period. View maps of affected areas. If you are planning to travel on this date, please allow additional time and plan your journey accordingly.

Scrabster Ferry Terminal, Queen Elizabeth Pier, Scrabster, Caithness, KW14 7UW, United Kingdom

Scrabster Ferry Terminal What3Words: ///arose.drops.shock
Scrabster vehicle check-in What3Words: ///volcano.handrail.grove

Scrabster Ferry Terminal Opening hours:

Monday 07:15 – 08:45 11:15 – 13:15 17:00 – 19:00
Tuesday 07:15 – 08:45 11:15 – 13:15 17:00 – 19:00
Wednesday 07:15 – 08:45 11:15 – 13:15 17:00 – 19:00
Thursday 07:15 – 08:45 11:15 – 13:15 17:00 – 19:00
Friday 07:15 – 08:45 11:15 – 13:15 17:00 – 19:00
Saturday 07:15 – 08:45 11:15 – 13:15 17:00 – 19:00
Sunday 10:00 – 12:00 17:00 – 19:00

Before travelling, please remember to check the Service Update webpage.

Office opening times may change over Christmas and New Year.

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NorthLink Ferries operate the Pentland Firth Service between Stromness in Orkney and Scrabster in Caithness on the north coast of mainland Scotland.

Scrabster Ferry Terminal is located 1½ miles from Thurso. A pleasant town, Thurso has shops to explore and great places to eat and stay. Thurso is 112 miles from Inverness.

Nearby, in Caithness and Sutherland, the attractions are so many that a road trip has been based around them – the North Coast 500. We recommend visiting the Castle of Mey, the Duncansby Stacks, and Dunrobin Castle.

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Check-in

  • Foot passengers are required to check in at the Scrabster Ferry Terminal.
  • Scrabster Ferry Terminal is on a pier, 800m away from the Scrabster vehicle check-in. Please allow appropriate time to walk between these locations.
  • Check-in opens 90 minutes prior to departure, and car drivers are recommended to check in at least one hour prior to departure.
  • Check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure.
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Parking

  • Short Stay (Free of Charge) parking places, including spaces for passengers with a disability, are available at the end of the Scrabster Ferry Terminal.
  • Long Stay (Pay) parking is situated 400m from the passenger terminal (please allow ten minutes to walk there). The cost is £15 per week, or part thereof. The car park is operated by Scrabster Harbour Trust, who can be contacted on +44 (0) 1847 892779. Tokens can be purchased via cash and card payment at the NorthLink Terminal or within the Scrabster Harbour Trust office (outwith NorthLink office opening hours) on your return.
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Route info

  • Connecting port: the ferry sails from Scrabster and arrives in Stromness.
  • The Journey: the ferry sails up to 3 times a day from Scrabster. It also sails up to 3 times a day from Stromness. The journey takes 90 minutes and is the only ferry that sails past the iconic Old Man of Hoy. The last crossing of the day is from Scrabster and the ferry docks overnight in Stromness.
  • Ferries: M.V. Hamnavoe sails this route – discover more about the ferry.
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Scrabster Ferry Terminal Facilities

  • Ticket sales and enquiries.
  • Vending machines with hot drinks.
  • Lift, accessible toilet and accessible entry.
  • Please note – there is no left luggage facility – and the Scrabster Ferry Terminal facilities and toilets are only accessible during office opening hours.
Accessibility information

Scrabster Car, Bus, Train, and Airport Connections

  • Car: Follow the A9 to and from Inverness. The journey is approximately 115 miles and takes around 3 hours. Should you choose to leave your car in Scrabster and sail as a foot passenger, please note the location of the long stay car park. Luggage and passengers can be dropped off at Scrabster Ferry Terminal prior to parking.
  • Bus: The X99 bus from Inverness to Scrabster takes just under 4 hours and is operated by Stagecoach. Some stop at the Ferry Terminal in Scrabster, while others stop 1½ miles from the Terminal, in the centre of Thurso. There is also an Ember bus service between Inverness to Scrabster (with stops in Dingwall, Tain, Brora, Dunbeath, Wick and Thurso) which meets the ferry from Orkney.
    Please be aware, the Ember Bus departs from the bus stop outside the NorthLink vehicle terminal, and there are no seats / waiting facilities after the terminal has closed (after the vessel departs).
  • Train: The Far North Railway Line from Inverness to Thurso takes just under 4 hours. The train service from Inverness to Thurso is operated by Scotrail. Thurso train station is situated 2 miles (a 6 minute drive) from Scrabster. Train passengers relying on taxis to reach Thurso train station are advised to pre-book a taxi.
  • Airport: The nearest airports are Wick-John O’Groats (with services to Edinburgh and Aberdeen) which is located 23½ miles from Scrabster. Inverness Airport is located 120 miles away and offers flights across the UK and Europe.
  • For more information, please download the Scrabster Travel Connections info sheet.

See Inside the Terminal

You can now explore our ports using Google Streetview!

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Greener travel

  • Electric vehicle charging infrastructure: Scrabster Ferry Terminal has car, bike and scooter charge points available. Visit the Zap-map website or download the app to view electric charge points in the locality.
  • Active Travel: Incorporate active travel choices into your daily routines. Walking and cycling provides physical health and wider mental health and wellbeing benefits, reduces environmental impacts and helps to keep transport costs down. Bicycle rental services are available nearby. A storage stand for 8 cycles and a bike repair stand with tools is available outside the terminal building.
  • Car-sharing: Why not consider sharing your car journeys with people on similar routes / times? This helps to save money and improve our local air quality and wellbeing.

Header image: Scrabster Ferry Terminal and MV Hamnavoe with Thurso in the background photo © Copyright Justin Merrigan