April 2024 NorthLink news round-up
Wednesday 1st May 2024
It has been another busy yet positive month here at NorthLink Ferries. In April 2024, we were proud to announce that NorthLink Ferries has achieved the Green Tourism award, making us the only ferry operator to currently hold the Gold rating. Additionally, we updated our signage in our onboard children’s play areas, and we were thrilled to announce our much-anticipated Hamnavoe Nature Cruise.
Continue reading to find out more about what we’ve been up to this month!
Thursday 4th April:
We were delighted to welcome a group of primary two pupils from Meiklemill School to the Ferry Terminal in Aberdeen, as their current class topic is about Katie Morag – the title character of a series of children’s picture books about a girl who lives on a Scottish island. They visited us for a tour of one of our ferries, the MV Hjaltland, and they even had the chance to visit the bridge!
We hope that everybody enjoyed the tour!
Friday 19th April:
NorthLink Ferries have recently been recognised for our sustainability standards by independent body, Green Tourism, as the only ferry operator to currently have its Gold rating. Green Tourism was impressed by our increase in environmental and sustainability awareness throughout the organisation, such as our use of eco-lighting across all offices and port flood lighting, and captain’s sailing more efficiently to reduce emissions.
We work hard to improve our environmental and sustainability awareness throughout the organisation and this achievement is testament to the team’s commitment to protect the environment in which we operate, from our port in Aberdeen, to the seas we sail and the beautiful islands of Shetland and Orkney.
Monday 22nd April:
We’ve recently been collaborating with Signs Express in Aberdeen to refresh the artwork onboard the MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey in the children’s play areas. The updated imagery, including the panelling on the walls and glass etching, features our new Vikling characters!
Be sure to take a look next time you are travelling with us to or from Aberdeen, Lerwick or Kirkwall!
Friday 26th April:
To round-up the month, we were excited to announce that this year’s Orkney Nature Festival saw the return of our popular wildlife cruise on Sunday 12th May 2024. In previous years, this was the finale of the Orkney Nature Festival, but this year, the popular event has been deemed a superb way to kick off the week!
This is a unique opportunity to circumnavigate the isle of Hoy! Step aboard the MV Hamnavoe for cliffs teeming with seabirds and sweeping views of Scapa Flow, with tastings of local produce, a wildlife and history commentary and guides to advise.
We’ll hug the coast passing spectacular sights including Cantick Head, The Old Man of Hoy, The Berry, St John’s Head, Rackwick, Flotta and Graemsay. We’ll also be keeping an eye out for seabirds and cetaceans.
Passengers are sure to enjoy a fantastic day out, with all profits being donated to the RSPB!