Hello! I have a plan to go to Scotland in 2029. Maybe 7-10 days on Mainland a d then spend at least 5 days on Orkney, where my 2x GGM was from. i wanted to see about finding short trips to Shetland, either by ferry or minicruise. Then return to Orkney bc I will be flying out of Stromness to return home to the US. Thanks for any suggestions bc most what I am finding involve longer trips…I a, looking for 2-3 days or a mini cruise of the same
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16965 posts
I've been to both twice and have flown between Orkney and Shetland. Since you are leaving from Stromness are you planing to take a ferry from there back to the Mainland of Scotland? There is not an airport in Stromness. The airport for Orkney is just outside Kirkwall.
Where is your last stop on Mainland Scotland before Orkney? I might suggest you fly from the mainland to Shetland, then fly back to Orkney, then fly back to the mainland for your return home.
Here is the link to the 2026 sailing times for Northlink Ferry which goes from Kirkwall to Lerwick Shetland. The journey currently leaves Kirkwall at 1145PM and arrives in Lerwick at 730 the next morning.
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/book/routes-times-and-prices/timetables/
The direct flight from Kirkwall to Sumburgh (LSI) Airport on Shetland takes 35 minutes, plus of course time before for security, etc.
Since you are planning so far out I'm sure you are aware that schedules might change before 2029.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11533 posts
It is not impossible by then that there may be daytime ferries from Orkney to Shetland. Northlink (or rather the Scottish Government) are looking at the possibility, especially as the new freight ferries will also take passengers (the current ones do, but it's almost impossible to book on them).
There did used to be weekend mini cruises from Aberdeen to Stromness to Lerwick to Aberdeen direct (I sailed on them) but they ended quite a lot of years ago (when P and O became Northlink) and no plans to bring them back.
The ferries are not a mini cruise as such, that would be a return where you get off for the day or longer, but you can leave any bags at Lerwick ferry terminal.
There are conventional cruises which call at both Orkney and Shetland, but you can't book them just for that segment.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2974 posts
I've used the overnight North Link ferry several times when travelling betweern Orkney and Shetland and it works really well - especially if you book a cabin. One advantage is that you sleep on the boat and arrive in Shetland bright eyed and busy tailed first thing in the morning.
You need to check the timetable crefully as the ferry doesn't call in at Orkney every night.