Ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands

How long is the ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands?

The crossing time by ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands ranges between routes, operators and ships. The Aberdeen Kirkwall ferry on average approximately takes 6 hours. The distance from Aberdeen to Kirkwall is approximately 115 nautical miles.

The fastest ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands from Scrabster to Stromness, with a crossing time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Northlink Ferries provide this route with up to 21 sailings weekly combined.

Scotland to Orkney Islands Ferry Operators

The following operators sail from Scotland to Orkney Islands: Northlink Ferries. Timetables vary depending on the ferry company. Check the latest ferry timetables between Scotland and Orkney Islands with just a few clicks using our deal finder.

What is the ferry price from Scotland to Orkney Islands?

Prices for the Scotland Orkney Islands ferry might change depending on the season you wish to travel. Cheap ferry tickets are typically available during off peak, outside of the high season. Please visit our special offers page to view all the latest ferry discounts.

Can I travel with a vehicle from Scotland to Orkney Islands?

The following operators accept vehicles on ferries from Aberdeen to Kirkwall: Northlink Ferries
Scrabster to Stomness: Northlink Ferries

Scotland to Orkney Islands Ferry Routes

The following routes sail from Scotland to Orkney Islands: Aberdeen – Kirkwall and Scrabster - Stomness.

Some routes are seasonal, whereas others sail all year round. To get the most up to date sailing information for ferries from Scotland to Orkney Islands search in our Deal Finder.

About Orkney Islands

The Orkney archipelago encompasses seventy islands within the Northern Isles of Scotland, roughly sixteen kilometres north of the mainland.

Unique as they are picturesque, the Orkney Islands are one of Scotland’s greatest feats. Mostly flat in appearance, they’re steeped in millennia-old history, with the island of Rousay nicknamed ‘the Egypt of the north’, owing to the sheer number - over a hundred a fifty - of archaeological sites, including a five thousand year old chambered tomb. A heavy Viking influence is another hallmark of Orkney’s identity, apparent in the architecture of the Kirkwall Cathedral and almost every place name Norse in origin. Orkney is also one of the best places in Britain to watch the marvellous Northern Lights, and to spot tens of thousands of migratory bird species, dolphins, whales, and seals basking on white-sandy beaches.

Sandwiched between northern Scotland and the Shetland Islands, it’s easy to sail to Orkney from both locations. From a few ports on the mainland’s north coast, there are fast and regular crossings to a couple of towns in Orkney, while the routes from Aberdeen and Shetland run three times a week.