Ferries to Orkney: A Complete Guide

Researching ferries to Orkney for work? You'll need a hotel

As well as being a popular tourist destination, the islands have a growing energy sector, with significant offshore wind and marine energy projects under development. Engineers, project managers, consultants, and contractors therefore travel to Orkney regularly for work. And many make the crossing from Scrabster, given its convenience.

From Edinburgh or Glasgow, you’re looking at four to five hours on the road. So, arriving the night before your sailing is not a luxury. It’s a practical necessity. Ulbster Arms Hotel sits just 8 miles from Scrabster Ferry Terminal, making it the closest quality hotel. What’s more, the hotel already serves as a trusted base for contractors and professionals working across Caithness, including those connected to the nearby Dounreay site.

Favourable corporate rates are available, too, and the Ulbster Arms Hotel rooms include fast Wi-Fi and a dedicated workspace as standard. The Ulbster Arms kitchen also serves an early breakfast from 6:30am, and as well as free parking, three of the fastest EV chargers in the Highlands are also on site.

So, if you’re travelling to Orkney for business and need reliable, comfortable business accommodation near the Orkney ferry, the Ulbster Arms Hotel is the obvious choice.

Ferries to Orkney: holiday things to do when you arrive on the islands

The Scrabster to Orkney ferry docks in Stromness, one of Orkney’s most characterful towns. Stone-flagged streets run along the waterfront, lined with independent shops, cafés, and galleries. As a result, it’s worth spending an hour here before heading out to explore the islands.

Orkney is also one of the most historically rich destinations in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney takes in four extraordinary sites within easy reach of Stromness. What’s more, most visitors on a day trip can reach all of them comfortably.

They include:

Skara Brae

This is Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village, dating to around 3100 BC. A storm in 1850 uncovered it from beneath sand dunes where it had lain hidden for thousands of years. The stone-built homes, complete with original furniture, hearths, and passageways, are astonishing. A modern visitor centre provides full context before you walk the site itself.

The Ring of Brodgar

This stone circle and henge monument dates back around 4,500 years. Builders originally raised around 60 standing stones here, but 27 remain today. Each stone stands up to 4.7 metres tall, and the circle itself measures 104 metres across. The setting, between two lochs on open moorland, adds to the drama considerably.

The Standing Stones of Stenness

Among the oldest stone circles in the United Kingdom, these date to approximately 3100 BC. They’re just a short drive from the Ring of Brodgar, and most visitors take in both on the same trip.

Beyond the Neolithic sites, Orkney rewards explorers. Italian prisoners of war built the Italian Chapel during the Second World War, producing a remarkable piece of craftsmanship in an unlikely setting. The Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow also offer a different chapter of history entirely. And Kirkwall, the islands’ capital, is worth a visit for St Magnus Cathedral, the Highland Park Distillery, and the Orkney Museum.

Guided day trips run from Stromness Ferry Terminal, timed to meet the incoming NorthLink sailing. These are particularly useful if you are travelling as a foot passenger and don’t have a vehicle on the island.