Ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands

How Long is the ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands?

Ferry duration from Scotland to Orkney Islands ranges from 1 hour to 6 hours 30 minutes depending on the ferry route. The distance between Scotland and Orkney Islands is around 157 nautical miles.

The fastest ferry from Scotland to Orkney Islands is on the Gills Bay St Margaret's Hope ferry route in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with 3 daily sailings.

What is the ferry price from Scotland to Orkney Islands?

Prices can vary by operator, season and whether you’re sailing on a high-speed ferry or conventional ferry.

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

You can travel on the ferry with a car from Scotland to Orkney Islands on Northlink Ferries and Pentland Ferries. You can also travel as a foot passenger.

Ferry offers and discounts from Scotland to Orkney Islands

Ferry discounts vary throughout the year. Visit our offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts.

How to book ferry tickets to Scotland to Orkney Islands

Book and compare ferry operators, timetables and prices using our deal finder for all the most up to date sailing information.

About Scotland

Scotland is the northernmost country in the United Kingdom, occupying the Northern third of the land, sharing a border with England to the South. Scotland is a beautiful country well-known for its dramatic scenery of mountains and rugged coastlines, with the natural scenes of the Highlands as a top winner.

The Scottish climate tends to be very changeable, but even though the sun might not always shine, the warm welcome from the wonderful diversity of landscapes attracts many visitors. If you’re heading away from Scotland by ferry then Northern Ireland is easily accessible with a choice of routes and ferry companies. Travelling from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney, Shetland or any of the destinations off Scotland’s west coast is more convenient than ever before and you’ll get to take in some of the most spectacular coastlines and landscapes in the UK while you sail too.

The direct route to the continent is no longer available, but there are numerous routes from Northern England to use instead.

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.