2012 Timetables

Making Your Booking
When you book with NorthLink your reservation will only be confirmed once we have received payment for the full value of the booking. In particular, cabin and vehicle space will not be held until payment is received and issue of a quotation will not guarantee availability of space at point of booking.

Checking-in for the Ferry
All passengers aged 16 years and over are required to be in possession of photographic ID at check-in. Examples of acceptable ID include: photo driving licence, passport, student ID card and concessionary cards.

NorthLink operates a ticketless system with the key to your journey being the unique booking confirmation number. Please have this and your photo ID ready when checking-in.

Please also note the advertised check-in times for your chosen port of departure/route. Arrival at the terminal after check-in has closed will mean that you may not be able to travel. Details are given below.

Checking-in at Aberdeen
As Aberdeen terminal is in the city centre, passengers should allow sufficient time if arriving by car. Check-in commences two hours prior to departure. Car drivers are recommended to check-in at least one hour prior to departure. Final check-in is 30 minutes before departure.

Checking-in at Lerwick
Check-in commences two hours prior to departure. Car drivers are recommended to check-in at least one hour prior to departure. Final check-in is 30 minutes before departure.

Checking-in at Kirkwall (Hatston)
Foot passengers should note that the new Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal is situated some two miles out of town. As the call at Hatson will always be part of a ‘through’ sailing between Aberdeen and Lerwick, the ship will arrive in port approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. Boarding will only commence after all passengers and vehicles have disembarked from the incoming vessel. Departure times from Kirkwall may be subject to change depending on sailing conditions. All passengers disembarking at Kirkwall are asked to retain their boarding card during the voyage for use as a landing pass on arrival at Kirkwall.

Checking-in at Stromness
Check-in for the 0630 sailing will open 60 minutes prior to departure. During mid and peak season passengers who have reserved an overnight cabin should check-in and board for the 0630 sailing from Stromness between 2130 - 2330 the previous evening. Please note that overnight accommodation is not available on MV Hamnavoe during the winter months. For all other sailings check-in will open 90 minutes prior to departure. Final check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure.

Checking-in at Scrabster
Foot passengers are required to check-in at the foot passenger terminal situated at the ferry berth on the new pier. Passengers arriving at the old pier should allow appropriate time to make their way to the foot passenger check-in terminal on the new pier (some 800m distance) no later than 30 mins prior to published departure time.

Further details of our passenger terminals, their location and the facilities offered can be found on our About Terminals pages. All our terminals incorporate lift access to an upper level to allow easy boarding by elevated passenger walkways. However should you require any special assistance please advise staff at time of booking.

Children
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult when travelling. Unaccompanied children will not be allowed to board vessels. Infants cannot be booked into shared cabins and we would request that passengers wishing to book young children into shared cabins have appropriate consideration for fellow cabin passengers.

Luggage
Passengers are advised to take only hand luggage required for their crossing onto the ship – bearing in mind that this may include an overnight journey. Other luggage should be left in the car or if travelling on foot may be placed on luggage trolleys prior to boarding the ship. The trolleys will be loaded onto the vehicle deck with luggage made available for collection on arrival at the destination port. Maximum baggage weight is 30kg. Bulky or overweight baggage will be carried only at the discretion of the local service manager and may be subject to charge.

Parking
NorthLink does not offer secured long-term parking. In Orkney and Shetland parking associated with the ferry terminals are operated by the local harbour authority. In Aberdeen there are several car parks available near the terminal. At Scrabster, the long stay parking area is operated by the local harbour trust and is situated around 800 metres from the passenger terminal on the pier (01847 892779). Customers wishing to leave their car and travel as foot passengers should be aware of the time required to move between the car park and the terminal. We recommend that those leaving their car, drop off passengers and any luggage to be taken on-board at the terminal on the pier before parking up and making their way back to foot passenger check-in.

Connecting transport
Passengers should be aware that onward transport connections are limited and can vary between seasons.

At Scrabster and Stromness, not all sailings connect with onward public transport and you should check timetables before confirming your choice of sailing.

At Aberdeen, the ferry terminal is a 10-minute walk from the bus and rail stations. Passengers with luggage may wish to consider booking a taxi to assist with their transfer. Similarly, the Lerwick terminal is at Holmsgarth at the edge of town, a 15-minutes walk from the centre.

For details on the Stromness/Kirkwall bus service which covers arrivals and departures from Hatston please see our Hatston connecting bus page.

Behaviour on board
Passengers should note that all travel is governed by our Conditions of Carriage, copies of which are available at on this website, at our terminals, on board the ships or on request from our offices. Within our Conditions of Carriage there is an implicit expectation as to the standard of behaviour expected of passengers once on-board. Passengers appearing under the influence of alcohol or drugs at check-in cannot expect to be allowed to board the vessel. Similarly, while our bars and restaurants do serve alcohol during sailings, our staff are authorised to refuse to serve alcohol to any passenger whose behaviour may cause offence to other passengers or who may be deemed to be putting themselves, staff or fellow passengers at risk.

No Smoking
Our terminals and vessels are entirely no-smoking in all public indoor areas. On-board ship there are designated smoking areas on the outside decks.

Dry dock period
Schedules may alter during the months of February / March / April to accommodate the NorthLink dry dock refit arrangements. Notice will be given of any changes at time of booking.

Christmas and New Year period
Schedules immediately before and following Christmas and New Year are subject to change. Please check our timetables page or for further information, please call 0845 6000 449.

Travel Insurance
NorthLink Ferries strongly recommends that all passengers carry appropriate travel insurance. In the event of disruption or delay to sailing schedules NorthLink will not be liable for consequential costs incurred by passengers. Please see our Conditions of Carriage for details on the limitations of our liability in event of delay or cancellation.