Northlink Ferries ferry routes
Every route operated by Northlink Ferries at a glance, with current crossing times, timetables and ticket prices.
Northlink Ferries is the ferry operator for Scotland's northern isles. The company started in 2002 as NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries and has traded as NorthLink Ferries Limited since 2006. Serco has run the operation since July 2012, on behalf of Transport Scotland. The ships themselves were bought by the public sector in 2018 and 2019 and are managed by Caledonian Maritime Assets.
The operating area stretches from Scotland's northeast coast across Orkney to Shetland. The range is wide: from the short crossing over the Pentland Firth to the long overnight crossing from Aberdeen, which can take over twelve hours.
Five ships are in service: Hjaltland and Hrossey on the route from Aberdeen, Hamnavoe between Scrabster and Stromness, and the freight vessels Helliar and Hildasay. The service is regarded as a lifeline for the island communities and is publicly subsidised.
Route map
Every route operated by Northlink Ferries at a glance