Kirkwall – Lerwick
Ferry to Shetland Islands
Kirkwall – Lerwick
Ferry to Shetland Islands
The Kirkwall Lerwick ferry route connects Orkney Islands with Shetland Islands. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Northlink Ferries. The crossing operates up to 4 times each week with sailing durations from around 7 hours 45 minutes.
Kirkwall Lerwick sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.
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Kirkwall Port is situated on what’s known as the ‘mainland’ of the Orkney archipelago, with the city of Kirkwall the capital of the Orkney Islands. Once a quiet town renowned for the peaceful atmosphere among historical landmarks, Kirkwall has quickly transformed itself into a bustling market town boasting a shopping centre and copious restaurants. The city does still provide satisfaction for those that enjoy history and cultural landmarks – the St. Magnus Cathedral is widely recognised as the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland. Despite its recent revival, the town still owes much of its income to the port, which is regarded as the gateway between Scotland and the Orkney Islands. Ferry routes to Aberdeen and Lerwick run a few times a week by Northlink Ferries, the only company operating in the area. The port is only 1.5km from the city centre, so is easily within walking distance, especially considering the picturesque streets leading to the harbour. The port facilities are found towards the north of Harbour Street, the road that runs from east to west across the waterfront. Walking around the small, narrow streets is regarded as the best way to get around the city, although there is a bus service that runs to the main sites in the town. Taxis are also readily available at the pier, though it is advised to negotiate a price before entering.
Regarded by some as ‘Britain’s Top Port’ Lerwick is one of the most northerly ports belonging to the UK, laying around 160 km off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The only ferry routes operating from Lerwick are to other coastal cities in Scotland, with daily sailings to Aberdeen and three sailings per week to Kirkwall. Due to the relatively small area and its geographical location, Lerwick harbour is the main industry for the region. There is a maritime feel to the entire town; fishing and the ferry industry bring in much of the revenue, and the port holds many boating events per year which attract tourists who have an active interest in maritime. Away from the port, the mountains and hills surrounding Lerwick are prime for embarking on an afternoon stroll; the views are stunning and the sea breeze makes for a refreshing change of pace. There are a couple of museums that are worth a visit, and of course the restaurants serve excellent seafood at reasonable prices. The town is so small that most places are within walking distance; the town centre itself is particularly compact. There are also taxis available for quicker and more convenient transport.
