MV Hamnavoe

The Pentland Firth ferry "MV Hamnavoe" operates between Scrabster in Caithness and Stromness in Orkney. The vessel is operated by NorthLink Ferries and is the lifeline ferry service to the Orkney islands.

The name "hamnavoe" means 'Home Port' or 'Safe Haven'; it is also the old Norse name for Stromness.

The ship was introduced to the service in 2002, the first time that a ship has been specifically built for the Pentland Firth route. The vessel was designed to a cruise ship standard and is extremely comfortable. It was also built to the highest standards of safety. There are lounges, bars, a self service restaurant, a children's playroom, comfortable cabins, and a shop with travel items, local gifts and jewellery and perfume. New piers and a walkway have been built at Scrabster and Stromness specifically for the MV "Hamnavoe", which can take both foot and car passengers. The ship and walkway are fitted with lifts and have been built to accommodate disabled passengers, both boarding and throughout the ship. The ferry sails up to six times a day, and carries approximately 155,000 passengers to and from Orkney every year. The journey is approximately 1 1/2 hours long. During the summer, you can stay overnight aboard the MV "Hamnavoe" in Stromness for the 6.30am sailing, and arrive at 8.00am in Scrabster fully rested. The MV "Hamnavoe" is the only transport option to Orkney where you will pass and get a superb view of the spectacular sea stack - the Old Man of Hoy, and the tallest vertical cliff face in Britain - St Johns Head.

Onboard Facilities

*Comfortable lounges

*Self service restaurant

*Shop selling snacks, gift items, and practical travel products

*Bars

*Sun decks

*Games room

*Internal telephones

*Toilets

*Baby changing facilities

*Children’s play areas

*Disabled access throughout ships

*Well-appointed cabins – all en-suite with hairdryers, shaver points and air conditioning

*Specially-adapted cabins for the disabled, allowing easy wheelchair access

*Easy drive-through access to ship

Route

Scrabster to Stromness, Orkney (90 minutes)

External links

* [http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk NorthLink Ferries - Official Website]