Serco NorthLink Ferries adds extra Sunday sailing to bolster travel link

Friday 5th May 2023

Serco NorthLink Ferries is adding an additional return crossing to its Sunday timetable to help maintain access between Orkney and the Scottish mainland.

The extra return crossing is intended to help support residents and visitors whose travel plans have been affected by the suspension of Pentland Ferries sailings.

From this Sunday 7 May the MV Hamnavoe Sunday passenger service will move to a revised timetable to help accommodate passengers:

• Stromness to Scrabster sailings will run at 0630, 1100 and 1645
• Scrabster to Stromness sailings will run at 0845, 1315 and 1900

Following discussions with stakeholders NorthLink is providing additional support whilst Pentland Ferries service is not running. This extended timetable is currently being offered until Sunday 24 June.

Stuart Garrett, Serco’s Managing Director for NorthLink Ferries, said: “We hope the additional round trip we’ve introduced will help those whose travel plans have been affected to reach their destination safely. We are in close contact with the local community and Scottish Government and will continue discussions around how we can support travel on this route.

“Regrettably, adding this additional resilience does mean that we’ve no choice but to cancel the Orkney Nature Festival cruise around Hoy, which was scheduled to take place on 14 May. We have advised RSPB and we will be in touch with customers directly.”