Dropping a car at Inverness afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 23. Had hoped to fly to Kirkwall, but only flight that day is
in early Morning, too early for us to get there and drop car. Combo bus/ferry/bus via John o'Groats to Kirkwall is offered several times a day daily through August. But unsure if it's offered in late September. Anyone know??? I've e-mailed the ferry folks with the question.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I am trying to figure out why you are only seeing one flight. Are you limiting the airline? Go the Inverness Website and search for flights to Kirkwall on your date. I found several flights.
Pam
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, United States
67 posts
Pam:s
Please forgive me, but I clicked on your site to get flights from Inverness, but found none on Sept. 23 to Kirkwall or the day before of the day aftern. What am I doing wrong??
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I din't pick a particular day. I missed that you had the day in your message. Most people don't do that. But, Now that I try that date, they say that there are no flights at all. That makes me wonder if there is something strange going on. Normal schedule is 4 flights a day to Kirkwall. I just looked at Aberdeen and Edinburgh and neither of them have flights either. So, the other issue may be that they have not posted the flights. I just looked for Sunday and there were no flights there either. I looked a month earlier and there are flights. The flights are Flybe which is Logan Air. I think I would contact them directly. If there really are no flights on Saturday and Sunday, I would ditch the car and take the train to Thurso and catch the early morning ferry. The train ride to Thurso is interesting. You go up the east coast to Wick and which point you cross to north coast. It looks like there are two ferries.
So, I checked the Orkney website and Sept. 23 is the Autumnal equinox so who knows, maybe there are lots of new agers headed to Orkney! If you do the train route, make sure that you have a hotel. But I think I would contact Logan Air or Flybe first. The bus to John O'Groats doesn't look too bad, but make sure about the accommodation potential issue.
Pam
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
Kirkwall Orkney International Airport is operated by Highlands and Islands Airports. I had a look on their site for the date and there are only two flights, both to outer islands on that date.
However, there is a change in the airline serving Kirkwall as Loganair is taking over the routes it currently runs as a franchise of flybe. This maybe part of the issue. However I would concur with Pam's suggestion of the train.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, United States
67 posts
After checking the flights of Loganair and Flybe and the train and coach connections for freey service to Orkney, I have concluded that it's more of a hassle than I want to fuss with for that time of year -- Sept. 23 - 25. I had been warned that connections throughout Scotland can be dicey after Sept. 1, and this situation is an example. While I do want to visit Orkney, I think we'll put it off until our next trip to Scotland when we hope to do it within the summer and more seasonal offerings. --- This time, instead of Orkney, think we'll see if i we can extend our car-rental use and explore more of northern Scotland. I'd appreciate any thoughts on that compromise.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
If Orkney is somewhere you want to see, you could try and keep the car and take it over on the ferry.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I have traveled frequently after September 1 in Scotland and NEVER had any trouble. This is very unusual in my view. I emailed the TI to ask if they can shed any light on the situation.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
So, I heard back from someone on Orkney. Here's the comment.
We are Orkney Tourism Group, a membership organisation which represents tourism businesses in Orkney and do not have a visitor facing role.
I understand your concerns with not being able to book flights beyond the end of August. A few weeks ago, i made some enquires with Flybe/Loganair and was told the flights would only become available in March because of the transition period between Flybe stopping and Loganair taking over and the system still being developed. You are best to keep checking on their site for them being published as maybe this date has lapsed or contact them directly to ask if they have any update on this information.
I was been given a switch board number (0141 848 7594) in Glasgow who may be able to further assist you.
I understand the frustration this can cause to visitors wishing to make travel arrangements, but it is not something we are able to control.
Kind regards,
I would call the number and find out what is going on with flights.
Pam