Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashNorthLink Ferries
From the operator
Sail to Orkney from Aberdeen via MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland.
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Checked against northlinkferries.co.uk on 9 November 2026
Are you planning a trip to Orkney? The Aberdeen to Kirkwall ferry connects Aberdeen with Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, and you can compare it on Ferryu.
The sailing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall takes place in the evening, leaving at 17:00 and arriving in Hatston at 23:00. NorthLink Ferries stop at Hatston, outside Kirkwall, on certain days of the week, so be sure to check which days suit your plans.
- The sailing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall leaves in the evening at 17:00 and arrives in Hatston at 23:00
- The sailing from Kirkwall to Aberdeen is an overnight journey
- On certain days of the week, ferries stop at Hatston, outside Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands
- You can sail to Orkney from Aberdeen on MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland
- The Aberdeen terminal is at Jamieson’s Quay, in the heart of the city
At a glance
- Crossing type
- Overnight
- As NorthLink Ferries describes it
- Arrives
- Kirkwall (Orkney)
- Scotland
Who sails this route
Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashSailing with NorthLink Ferries
NorthLink Ferries sail to Orkney from Aberdeen on two ships, MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland.
Heading north, the sailing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall takes place in the evening. It leaves at 17:00 and arrives in Hatston at 23:00. Coming back, the sailing from Kirkwall to Aberdeen is an overnight journey.
The ferries stop at Hatston, outside Kirkwall, on certain days of the week. It's worth looking at the timetable early so you can pick the day that works best for you.
Before you travel
The Aberdeen terminal is conveniently located at Jamieson’s Quay, in the heart of the city. Be sure to arrive in good time so you can check in without any rush.
When you reach Orkney, passengers arriving in Hatston must disembark the vessel upon arrival, so have your bags together and be ready to head off once you dock.
Weather in Kirkwall
- Warmest month: August, average high 13°C.
- Wettest month: November, about 126 mm of rain.
- Sea at its warmest in September, about 13°C.
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Show the numbers
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.3 | 5.2 | 110.1 | 8.4 |
| February | 6.6 | 4.7 | 90.8 | 7.8 |
| March | 6.8 | 5.0 | 83.2 | 7.4 |
| April | 7.5 | 6.0 | 56.0 | 8.0 |
| May | 8.9 | 7.6 | 49.2 | 9.7 |
| June | 10.7 | 9.6 | 52.5 | 11.5 |
| July | 12.6 | 11.5 | 56.6 | 12.6 |
| August | 13.4 | 12.2 | 71.5 | 13.3 |
| September | 12.9 | 11.4 | 87.9 | 13.4 |
| October | 11.2 | 9.5 | 122.4 | 12.3 |
| November | 9.4 | 7.5 | 125.6 | 10.9 |
| December | 7.9 | 5.8 | 113.4 | 9.5 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (1 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022.
Questions answered
How often does it sail?
The sailing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall takes place in the evening, leaving at 17:00 and arriving in Hatston at 23:00. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
The sailing from Kirkwall to Aberdeen is an overnight journey. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
On certain days of the week they stop at Hatston (outside Kirkwall) in the Orkney Islands. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
Compare routes to Scotland
Who sails each route and how long the crossing takes.
| Route | Operator | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen to Kirkwall This route | NorthLink Ferries | – |
| Aberdeen to Lerwick | NorthLink Ferries | – |
| Ardrossan to Brodick | CalMac Ferries | About 55 minutes |
| Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope | Pentland Ferries | – |
| Largs to Cumbrae | CalMac Ferries | – |
| Mallaig to Armadale | CalMac Ferries | About 45 minutes |
| Oban to Castlebay | CalMac Ferries | About 5 hours |
| Oban to Craignure | CalMac Ferries | About 45 minutes |
| Scrabster to Stromness | NorthLink Ferries | About 90 minutes |
| Uig to Lochmaddy | CalMac Ferries | About 105 minutes |
| Uig to Tarbert | CalMac Ferries | About 100 minutes |
| Ullapool to Stornoway | CalMac Ferries | About 2½ hours |
| Wemyss Bay to Rothesay | CalMac Ferries | About 35 minutes |
More ferries to Scotland
More ferries from Aberdeen
All ferries to Scotland · More from Aberdeen ferry port
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