The Orkney Islands – more commonly known simply as Orkney – is an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. Part of the Northern Isles along with Shetland, Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north of Caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island, the Mainland, has an area of 523 square kilometres (202 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest Scottish island and the tenth-largest island in the British Isles. Orkney’s largest settlement, and also its administrative centre, is Kirkwall.
Travel throughout the islands and you’ll see countless place names that are unmistakably Scandinavian in origin, along with fascinating archaeological sites where one can almost sense a Viking presence. Genetic studies have found that many Orcadians are actually descended from the Norse people who settled the islands in the late 8th century.
Orkney’s most famous archaeological treasures – Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Maeshowe chambered tomb – form the keystones of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
The islands played a pivotal role in both World Wars and poignant reminders of these turbulent periods are etched across the landscape in the shape of the gun batteries, searchlight stations and concrete bunkers that can still be seen today.
Scapa Flow is key to this fascinating wartime story. The base for the British Home Fleet during both World War I and II, it was here in 1918 that the German High Seas Fleet was interned after the Armistice, and then scuttled at midsummer 1919.
Today, the Scapa Flow Museum in Hoy relives this momentous period of British history with its captivating archive of video, photographs and artefacts.
Flying to Orkney from the mainland
With 60 years of experience serving Scotland and beyond, Loganair is proud to be the UK’s largest regional airline. From modest beginnings in 1962 with a single aircraft, we’ve grown to operate a fleet of over 30, connecting communities across the UK and beyond with warmth, professionalism, and a commitment to outstanding service. Every journey with Loganair is guided by our passion for hospitality, ensuring each passenger feels valued and at home.
All Loganair flights to Orkney arrive and depart Kirkwall Airport just 4 miles southeast of Kirkwall.
Built in 1940, the airport was originally used for the defence of the Scapa Flow naval base. In 1986 the airport passed to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.
The café at Kirkwall airport serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. Hot and cold drinks are also available from our vending machines, along with snacks. The vending machines are available adjacent to the inter-island check-in desks and in the departures lounge.
Car Parking
Short and long-term car parking, with disabled bays, are available adjacent to the airport terminal building. There is a day rate of £3 for parking, with a free two-hour drop-off period. Exemptions apply for NHS passengers, North Isles residents, Blue Badge Holders and for compassionate travel.
Public Transport
Stagecoach operates a service to meet scheduled flights, with regular buses throughout the day to and from Kirkwall.
Taxis
When flying into Kirkwall Airport, we recommend booking a taxi prior to arrival.
Ferries to Orkney from Aberdeen
Your journey begins as you set sail with NorthLink Ferries. On board the ferry to Orkney you’ll be able to enjoy many comforts before arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to begin your island adventure. With sailings from Aberdeen several times each week for passengers and cars from Aberdeen, travelling to the Orkney Islands from the Scottish Mainland is more convenient than ever before.
NorthLink Ferries depart from Aberdeen at 5pm, arriving in Kirkwall in the late evening. Return sailings leave Kirkwall in the late evening, arriving back in Aberdeen in time for breakfast. Ferries from Aberdeen continue overnight to Shetland, returning in the evening from Shetland to call at Kirkwall en route beck to Aberdeen.
Kirkwall (Hatston) Ferry Terminal is located on the outskirts of Kirkwall. Kirkwall itself is the historic capital of Orkney and is located centrally on the main island. Hatston ferry terminal is located 2-3 miles from the centre of Kirkwall.
Ferries from Scotland’s North Coast
It is almost 25 years since Pentland Ferries first started its short sea crossing across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay in Caithness to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay.
The service has always operated without public subsidy, yet the competition from NorthLink was – and still is – subsidised by the government.
The Gill’s Bay ferry terminal is 4 miles west of John O’Groats and about 2.5 hours drive from Inverness. St Margaret’s Hope is located on the island of South Ronaldsay, from where the main road crosses the famous Churchill Barriers to the Orkney mainland. Kirkwall is about 16 miles from St Margaret’s Hope – a journey of around 30 minutes by car. There is a regular bus service (Stagecoach X1) between St Margaret’s Hope, Lerwick and Stromness.
NorthLink Ferries sails 2-3 times daily between Scrabster (near Thurso) and Stromness Harbour. in western Orkney.
Scrabster Ferry Terminal is located in Scrabster on the North coast of Scotland, 1½ miles from Thurso, 22½ miles from Wick and 112 miles from Inverness. Stromness Harbour is in the centre of Stromness town and about 15 miles (25-30 minutes) drive from Kirkwall. Adjacent to the ferry terminal is Stromness Travel Centre, from where there is a regular bus service (Stagecoach X1) to Kirkwall.
Inter-Island Ferries
The history of Orkney Ferries dates back to an event in 1864 when Captain George Robertson bought a small wooden steamer the Quarry Maid. He renamed her the Orcadia, and set sail from Liverpool to cater for the increasing trade between Orkney’s capital Kirkwall and the Islands.
Today, Orkney Ferries has 10 vessels in the fleet serving 13 islands destinations, carrying over 82,000 vehicles and undertaking around 320,000 passenger journeys annually. Since 1987, Orkney Islands Council has assumed responsibility for all inter-island ferry services.
Inter-Island Flights
Internal flights to the six outer north isles (Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray) are operated by Loganair under a Public Service Obligation (PSO) Contract by Orkney Islands Council.
Flights depart from Kirkwall Airport to the airstrips in each of the isles. The Loganair Inter-Island Timetable in available by clicking the button below:
Flights can be booked on the Loganair website or by calling 01856 872494.
For visitors to Orkney, Loganair offers special Sightseer fares on inter-island flights starting and finishing at Kirkwall. These fares cannot be purchased in advance and are only available on the day at Kirkwall Airport if there are seats available.
Getting around Orkney by bus
Stagecoach operates a network of bus services across mainland Orkney providing connections with inter-island ferry services and Kirkwall Airport. The principal bus routes are shown on the map below.
Island Transportation 