NorthLink Ferries

17/10/2026

Finalists for the 2026 Taste of Orkney Food & Drink Awards will gather this evening at the Kirkwall Grammar School where winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner. The top business in each category will receive a prestigious Taste of Orkney Food and Drink Awards trophy.

We are proud to support the Taste of Orkney Food and Drink Awards and celebrate the achievements of Orcadian producers, who have helped put the Northern Isles on the map as a must-visit destination for food and drink lovers.

We would like to congratulate the finalists and wish them good luck tonight.

15/10/2026

We recently announced that NorthLink Ferries crew member Kathryn Fullerton has now officially surpassed the £100,000 mark for charitable causes through her many fundraising initiatives.

Kathryn, Passenger Service Supervisor on board the vessel MV Hjaltland, has been running fundraising events for the past 14 years. What started as a simple raffle onboard in Christmas 2012 to support the Gilbert Bain Hospital Renal Unit – where her mother underwent kidney dialysis – has blossomed into a remarkable personal mission that has now raised over £100,000.

Lindsay Davenport, Community Fundraising Manager Scotland at Muscular Dystrophy UK, the charity Kathryn is fundraising for this year said: “Congratulations to Kathryn on reaching this incredible fundraising milestone and all her efforts over the years on supporting incredible causes. The funds raised this year for Muscular Dystrophy UK, by Kathryn and staff at NorthLink Ferries, will go towards funding research and supporting people living with a muscle wasting condition and their families, so no one faces their journey alone.”

We would like to congratulate Kathryn again as she has been nominated for a Shetland Hero Award for Volunteer or Fundraiser of the Year.

You can vote for Kathryn here:

Three regional awards celebrating Scotland's community heroes.

14/10/2026

Today Fiona Anderson, our Customer Service Manager hosted a training session with David Mackay, Puppy Development Advisor from Guide Dogs Forfar Training School, Buttons 16 months and Wynne 14 months and the puppy walker handlers.

They started with a yard walk around Aberdeen Ferry Terminal then boarded the MV Hjaltland and completed stair and gate work, then they enjoyed some a welcome cup of tea on board.

The different sounds, surfaces and working environment prove valuable for the puppy handler training.

Guide Dogs Scotland Guide Dogs UK

14/10/2026

Early Disruption Warning to Customers

Present weather forecasts indicate the possibility of disruption to our services from Wednesday 14th October through Friday 16th October.

More detailed information will follow daily as forecasts are updated.

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Wednesday 14th October 2026

Northbound

MV Hjaltland is scheduled to depart Aberdeen sailing for Lerwick at 19:00.

Due to forecast weather conditions, arrival in Lerwick may be subject to a delay of up to 1 hour on Thursday 15th October.

Southbound

MV Hrossey is scheduled to depart Lerwick sailing for Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) and Aberdeen at 17:30.

Due to forecast weather conditions, arrival in Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) may be subject to a delay of up to 2 hours.

Arrival in Aberdeen may be subject to a delay of up to 2 hours on Thursday 15th October.

Pentland Firth

MV Hamnavoe is expected to operate to the scheduled timetable.

Due to forecast weather conditions, all sailings may be subject to weather related delays.

13/10/2026

There is an opportunity for a Full time Customer Service Assistant to join our great team in Aberdeen.

This position is well suited to individuals who enjoy working in a customer facing role, you will be making customer reservations by telephone, email and in person as well as assisting to check-in and board passengers.

To see more information about current available positions and to apply, please visit our website
▶ https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/support/job-opportunities/shore/

Please share to spread the word! 😊

13/10/2026

Early Disruption Warning to Customers

Present weather forecasts indicate the possibility of disruption to our services from Tuesday 13th October through Friday 16th October.

More detailed information will follow daily as forecasts are updated.

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Tuesday 13th October 2026

Northbound

MV Hrossey is scheduled to depart Aberdeen sailing for Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) and Lerwick at 17:00.

Southbound

MV Hjaltland is scheduled to depart Lerwick sailing for Aberdeen at 19:00.

Pentland Firth

MV Hamnavoe is expected to operate to the scheduled timetable.

Due to forecast weather conditions, the 16:45 sailing from Stromness to Scrabster and the 19:00 sailing from Scrabster to Stromness may be subject to weather related delays.

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***Advance Warning of Disruption***

Wednesday 14th October 2026

Northbound

MV Hjaltland is scheduled to depart Aberdeen sailing for Lerwick at 19:00.

Due to forecast weather conditions, arrival in Lerwick may be subject to a delay of up to 1 hour on Thursday 15th October.

Southbound

MV Hrossey is scheduled to depart Lerwick sailing for Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) and Aberdeen at 17:30

Due to forecast weather conditions, arrival in Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) may be subject to a delay of up to 2 hours.

Arrival in Aberdeen may be subject to a delay of up to 2 hours on Thursday 15th October.

12/10/2026

If you're travelling with NorthLink Ferries through the October break and have children, then keep an eye out for our Vikling treasure hunt, which is an ideal way to keep our youngest passengers amused 😊

Collect an answer sheet from the Northern Isles shop or reception area on board and hunt for the Zombie Viklings around the ship, write down the letter against the corresponding number on the answer sheet to find the CURE.

If you can find the Viklings and complete the form identifying the cure we'll give you a prize!

Meet the Viklings here ▶️ https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/the-viklings/

If any of your children enjoy our new Vikling treasure Hunt we would love to see some photos!! You can PM them to us here or tag us on Instagram

12/10/2026

Early Disruption Warning to Customers

Present weather forecasts indicate the possibility of disruption to our services from Tuesday 13th October through Thursday 15th October.

More information will follow daily as forecasts are updated.

10/10/2026

The great thing about the darker nights drawing in is the opportunity to see the spectacular Mirrie Dancers!

Views from the MV Hjaltland tonight, taken by Kasia Thorp, Onboard Services Manager.