Does the Stromness ferry terminal have left luggage?

If you go to this page https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/port/stromness/

and scroll down to Terminal Facilities - it says luggage lockers (currently unavailable)

worth contacting them to confirm https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/support/contact-our-team-directly/

There used to be, but like in Kirkwall the lockers were run by Visit Orkney. They have closed their offices now (Kirkwall is controversially open on cruise days only again now), so short answer is no.
Both offices used to be thoroughly excellent.

I don't think they will pre load the luggage trolleys (for bigger items) like they do (or did?) at Lerwick and Aberdeen.

So I'm not sure there is an easy solution..

But Lerwick Town Centre office had also closed, now reopened in independent hands.

Thanks, Stuart and ramblin on.

I did check on the website and saw where it said it was unavailable (should have mentioned that), but I was hoping someone here might know the backstory. This is helpful. And worst case, if it's not available, then I will figure something out. I pack pretty light, and it's not that difficult to take a suitcase and a personal bag on the bus.

Mardee, though the lockers are not available, once the harbourmaster arrives on shift....I think it was about 6 or 7 p.m. then the reception staff will hold the baggage in the harbourmaster's office.
I know there was a couple who must have dropped off their bags in the morning and they were just not available while the office was closed.
If it isn't a huge bag, they may allow it overnight, but that may be a bit of a stretch even for a very accommodating enterprise.
I used Radical Storage a few times in Scotland and it worked out well. I did a quick look and didn't see anything in Stromness...though there are places in Kirkwall.
The Ferry Inn is a 3 minute walk across the road and parking lot from the ferry terminal. They may be willing to take the bag overnight.

Thanks, Maria, I might try that. I’ll stop in there at some point and ask beforehand. I’ll be on Orkney for 11 nights, so I should have plenty of time to drop in and just check and see what what my options are. And my bag isn’t very big. It’s a 21 inch travel pro carry-on. And it probably won’t be for overnight. I just want someplace to stash it during the day after I check out of my B&B. At any rate, I appreciate the information!

I’m also taking the Aberdeen ferry to Lerwick at the beginning of my journey, but that seems a lot easier as Aberdeen has a baggage storage facility. That will be helpful as I’ll have to check out of my hotel at noon but can’t check in to the ferry until 5 PM. So my plan is to go down and drop my luggage off and then wander around.

I am very excited about the overnight ferry. I know I keep reiterating that, but I really am! 😂

By the way there is a letter in this week's Shetland Times about next year's Northlink ferry bookings not being open for booking yet. This is due to the Scottish Government having not yet set the 2027 fare increase.
There is no set or known date for when bookings for the general public will open.

However bookings for tour groups are open as for the 3rd successive year they get preferential treatment, before fares are released. This is a long rumbling row locally, especially in regard to getting cabins on the Aberdeen route, as the tour groups get first choice of those.

It is worth knowing that there is an unofficial cabin sharing Facebook page.

Until Covid same sex sharing was allowed, but hasn't officially restarted since.
So a solo person can end up rattling round in a 2 or 4 berth cabin, while others are left with the pods or reclining seats.

Thus the Facebook page is an attempt to be more equitable.

Wow, that’s really good information to have, Stuart. Thanks so much for this. I will try to find that Facebook page, as I don’t mind sharing, especially if it means somebody else doesn’t get a room. But I am a little annoyed that tour groups get first pick.

I’m signed up to get notifications as soon as the bookings open up, so hopefully I’ll be able to book what I need soon.

This is a long rumbling row locally, especially in regard to getting cabins on the Aberdeen route, as the tour groups get first choice of those.

Not only do they get first choice, a single person can also be allocated a cabin sleeping four...

Mardee,

I'm home now so can do links- this is the cabin share facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/569658697803452/

Mardee,

I have found this left luggage facility in Kirkwall- https://scholidayhomesorkney.simplybook.me/v2/

They also have a facebook page, which confirms that as of 28 June this year they do still exist. It's hard to trace their opening hours but if they close at 5pm say you could then dine in either Kirkwall or Stromness before proceeding to the ship.

TA gave me another lead but that suggestion is now defunct.

Thanks so much, Stuart—that will be very helpful.

EDIT: FWIW, I did get the ferry booked, so I'll figure out the luggage. That place in Kirkwall you found looks promising.

I'm very pleased (and the locals will be even happier) that the bookings have been released so early for a change and that the price rise is basically just at RPI (Inflation) which also makes a refreshing difference.

This has tended to be a long drawn out saga.

Stasher app or website also shows the hostel in Kirkwall as a left luggage option. Handy location.
Also just want to mention for your peace of mind, that I had booked the Aberdeen to Orkney Island ferry back in December for April. In late March as it seemed winter storms were still raging, I decided to cancel that plan. I emailed them and they changed my Aberdeen departure to to a Scrabster departure and refunded the difference promptly. With time zone differences, it is great to be able to deal with them efficiently by email should any of your plans need shifting.

Maria, I agree. I’ve actually been in contact with them two or three times via email and they’ve been very prompt about responding.

Now I’m trying to deal with another issue that came up. It’s my fault. I should’ve waited to book all my lodging until I made sure that it would work out with all the ferries, and now I’m facing a slight problem, but I think I have it resolved. I just need to wait on a couple of emails.

Mardee, From 14 October Ember are changing the stop at Scrabster to be closer to the ship, and the morning bus will be changed from 0917 to 0830, to improve connections.

So you will now have a shorter walk from the ship to the bus, and get straight on, basically no waiting around, a seamless service. So it will now get into Inverness at 1220. The service frequency to Inverness is also improving, with extra buses and an overnight service in each direction.

That is great news, Stuart—thank you SO much!