Videos

Onward Voyager to Orkney on MV Hamnavoe

Travellers reaching the northern tip of Scotland will see dark islands on the horizon, rising like whales from the sea. These are the Orkney islands.

Leaving Scrabster for Stromness in Orkney on MV Hamnavoe, you’ll sail 30 miles, and west of Hoy. Along the way you’ll pass the proud sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy and further on, massive St John’s Head is the highest vertical cliff in Britain.

MV Hamnavoe arrives into the charming waterfront town of Stromness. For hundreds of years this is how tall ships, carrying explorers and merchants, arrived in Orkney. Stromness is the perfect starting point for your holiday and is located within seven miles of Orkney’s most important archaeological treasures.

MV Hamnavoe is a beautiful modern ship, purpose-built for the route, and equipped with comfort and accessibility in mind. She sails passengers and their vehicles to Orkney up to three times a day.

The range of facilities on board include a restaurant, bar, lifts between decks, a dog lounge, a gift shop, children’s play area, and Magnus’ Lounge – a space to work or unwind. The Hamnavoe bed and breakfast offering is popular, enabling passengers sailing on the first crossing from Stromness to board the evening before and sleep in a cabin on board.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Onward, Voyager – adventure awaits in Shetland and Orkney

Here’s to packing a bag, and going on an adventure
Voyaging to an island shore, and experiences you’ve never had before.

Here’s to amazing music and food, playful puffins, ancient stones
and feeling invigorated by the freshening wind outdoors.

Here’s to Orkney and Shetland, whatever the season,
May you make memories with loved ones in glittering days
and under star-hung skies.

Adventure awaits at northlinkferries.co.uk

Video by Weber Shandwick and Stephen Mercer Productions.

Onward, Voyager – adventure awaits in Orkney

Sometimes we need a break from the everyday
getting lost in a book or film, escaping to a new world.

But what if you could write your own adventure?
NorthLink Ferries can take you a world away, the very same day.

Sail to Orkney in just 90 minutes,
and wander through an island steeped in history,

Explore a stone age village, a Viking Cathedral
and if you time it right, watch the merry dancers set the sky alight.

Adventure awaits at northlinkferries.co.uk

Video by Weber Shandwick and Stephen Mercer Productions.

Onward, Voyager to the Shetland Islands

A distinctively different experience awaits you at the most northerly extreme of Britain – the Shetland islands. The dramatic coastline is fascinating to explore, with imposing cliff faces, arches, caves, and stacks giving way to gentle bays with swathes of white sand beaches. Shetland is a natural home for an array of wildlife, sea life, bird life and native breeds of ponies and sheep.

Shetland is also an archaeological treasure trove for every era from the Iron Age, Bronze and even further back. From the Vikings to the Picts and Celts, all have left their mark on these islands. Discover Shetland for yourself with NorthLink Ferries.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Onward, Voyager to the Orkney Islands

Let us take you north to explore these fascinating islands that boast 6,000 years of habitation. Orkney is an archipelago steeped in historic treasures. The village of Skara Brae, and the circle of standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar offer tantalising clues to the lives of Neolithic people. More recent stories, of Vikings, Scottish Earls, and wartime drama, can also be heard.

Orkney’s low-lying fertile land is surrounded by a fascinating shoreline of stunning cliffs giving way to swathes of white sandy beaches – the perfect home for a rich array of birds, animals, marine life, and flowers. Discover Orkney with NorthLink Ferries.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Onward, Voyager – a week of discovery

Monday we found a boat, and danced across the sea.
Tuesday we found some locals, living wild and free.
Wednesday we went back in time, five thousand years or more.
Thursday we found ponies, living by the shore.
Friday we found a beach, with not a soul for miles.
Saturday we found Vikings, marching round the isles.
Sunday we found a new friend, to join us on our way, and remind us of our voyage, every single day.

What will you discover?
Onward voyager, to Orkney and Shetland.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

A New Child: ECL by George Mackay Brown

I
Wait a while, small voyager
   On the shore, with seapinks and shells.

The boat
   Will take a few summers to build.
   That you must make your voyage in.

II
You will learn the names.
That golden light is ‘sun’ – ‘moon’
   The silver light
That grows and dwindles.

And the beautiful small splinters
   That wet the stones, ‘rain’.

III
There is a voyage to make,
   A chart to read,
But not yet, not yet.
   ‘Daisies’ spill from your fingers.
   The night daisies are ‘stars’.

IV
The keel is laid, the strakes
   Will be set, in time.
A tree is growing
   That will be a tall mast

All about you, meantime
The music of humanity,
   The dance of creation:
Scored on the chart of the voyage.

V
The stories, legends, poems
Will be woven to make your sail.

You may hear the beautiful tale of Magnus
   Who took salt on his lip.
Your good angel
   Will be with you on that shore.

VI
Soon the voyage of EMMA
   To Tir-Nan-Og and beyond.

VII
Star of the Sea, shine on her voyage.

Poem reproduced by permission of the Estate of George Mackay Brown.

Supporting Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Our routes

Experiencing Orkney and Shetland couldn’t be easier with NorthLink Ferries. We sail daily from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, sailing every evening and arriving the following morning. These ships call in at Orkney frequently, arriving in the late evening before sailing on to Aberdeen or Lerwick. NorthLink Ferries also sail from Scrabster on the north coast of Scotland to Stromness in Orkney. This is only ferry crossing to take you past the breathtaking Old Man of Hoy.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

The on board experience

Start your Orkney and Shetland island adventure with NorthLink Ferries.
Our three state-of-the-art ships – MV Hamnavoe, MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland – offer sociable bars, comfortable lounges and The Feast restaurant where you’ll find delicious local food. En-suite cabins are available as well as sleeping pods, shops, cinemas and play areas. You’ll arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to begin your island adventure!

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

How to Book with NorthLink Ferries

Booking a sailing to Orkney and Shetland couldn’t be easier.
Use the NorthLink Ferries website or app, phone or book in any NorthLink office or port. We hope this film will help you begin your island adventure with NorthLink Ferries!

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

How to Board with NorthLink Ferries

Boarding a ship to travel to Orkney and Shetland couldn’t be easier.
Whether travelling by car, on a bike or as a foot passenger we hope this film will help you know what to do when you arrive at your departure port.

Please make sure you ask a NorthLink staff member if you need assistance at any point during your journey!

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Onward, Voyager!

Things have been rough lately,
And we waited for the storm to pass…
But now the tide is changing,
The sun is breaking through,
And it’s nearly time to embrace life again.
So, Onward, Voyager to Shetland and Orkney!
We’re ready to welcome you on board.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Sail to Shetland and Orkney with NorthLink Ferries

Experience Orkney and Shetland with NorthLink Ferries. Our ships sail from Aberdeen to Shetland every day and often call in at Orkney. We also sail frequently from Scrabster on the North coast of Scotland to Stromness in Orkney, passing the breath-taking Old Man of Hoy. Book your island adventure at www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Your Shetland island adventure

Shetland is a place for drama; in Britain’s most northerly islands; Nature appears in her wildest dress. There are more than 100 islands, each forged by the waves of the North Atlantic. Everywhere you go, there are dramatic cliffs and voes, perfect deserted beaches and above, the cry of seabirds. With regular departures from Aberdeen and Kirkwall, from the moment you step on board, NorthLink Ferries vessels offer the very best in comfort and safety. Make sure you start your Shetland island adventure with NorthLink Ferries.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Your Orkney island adventure

Discover Orkney’s fascinating wildlife, breathtaking coastlines, unique culture and the Old Man of Hoy with NorthLink Ferries. With departures from Scrabster and Aberdeen, from the moment you step on board, our vessels offer the very best in comfort and safety. For those travelling across the Pentland Firth from Scrabster in the Scottish Highlands to Stromness on the Orkney mainland, the MV Hamnavoe is the only vessel to travel past the Old Man of Hoy, one of the tallest sea stacks in Britain.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Experience Up Helly Aa with NorthLink Ferries

Experience one of Shetland’s Fire Festivals with NorthLink Ferries. During Up Helly Aa, which takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January, 1,000 men carry burning torches and set fire to a Viking longship. It’s quite a sight to see and one for the bucket list. There are also other, smaller community fire festivals throughout the winter months in Shetland. With daily sailings from Aberdeen to Shetland, seeing Up Helly Aa couldn’t be easier.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Otters in Shetland

Well-fed from Shetland’s abundant fishing grounds, otters can sometimes be seen along the coastline. Shetland has the highest density of otters in Europe, but most visitors wouldn’t be able to tell, as otters are very shy creatures. Find out more facts about otters in Shetland here. Onward, Voyager to Shetland and Orkney.

Video by Richard Shucksmith.

Orca in Shetland and Orkney

Shetland and Orkney are visited by various pods of Orca throughout the year. Always be on the lookout for a tall black fin when looking out to sea, particularly as you walk around the beautiful coastlines of these islands. Find out more facts about Orca here.

Video by Richard Shucksmith.

Relax to the sights of Orkney

Relax to the sights of the Orkney Islands. Orkney offers a glimpse into the past, into the lives of Neolithic people and Vikings. With some of the world’s oldest archaeological sites, amazing wildlife and wonderful food and drink, Scotland’s Northern Isles are the perfect destination for you to explore.

With regular sailings from Scrabster and Aberdeen, travelling to Orkney is more convenient than ever before.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Relax to the sights of Shetland

Relax to the sights of the Shetland Islands. Shetland has a wild landscape and a coast forged by the waves of the North Atlantic. With magnificent archaeological sites, rich culture, festivals, and fascinating wildlife, Scotland’s Northern Isles are the perfect destination for you to explore.

With regular sailings from Aberdeen, travelling to Shetland is more convenient than ever before.

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.

Merry Christmas from NorthLink Ferries

From the frost-edged voes of Shetland, and the ice-encrusted stones of Orkney,
We wish our customers and friends a Merry Christmas!
Here’s to a fiery 2023, celebrating the return of Shetland’s fire festivals!

Video by Stephen Mercer Productions.