Photo: Mark Foster / Unsplash
Checked against northlinkferries.co.uk on 9 November 2026
The Scrabster to Stromness ferry takes about 90 minutes with NorthLink Ferries.
Are you planning a trip to Orkney? The Scrabster to Stromness ferry takes you across to Stromness in the Orkney islands, and NorthLink Ferries sails the route aboard the MV Hamnavoe.
The journey only takes 90 minutes, and the ferry sails up to 6 times a day. You can compare sailings on Ferryu.
Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashFrom the operator
The MV Hamnavoe travels from Scrabster to Stromness in the Orkney islands.
Opens Direct Ferries, a ferry booking site. Or book direct with NorthLink Ferries.
NorthLink Ferries runs the MV Hamnavoe from Scrabster to Stromness in the Orkney islands. With the ferry sailing up to 3 times a day from each port, you have a good choice of times in either direction.
The first sailing of the day is from Stromness to Scrabster, and the final sailing is from Scrabster to Stromness at 19:00. If you're aiming for that last departure, book early to secure your place.
Scrabster Ferry Terminal is located 1½ miles from Thurso. On the other side, you'll find Stromness Ferry Terminal at Ferry Road, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3BH.
If you're bringing your car on board, NorthLink Ferries recommends checking in at least one hour before departure. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach the terminal so you can start your trip relaxed.
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.2 | 5.2 | 117.9 | 8.7 |
| February | 6.6 | 4.7 | 97.1 | 8.0 |
| March | 6.8 | 5.0 | 88.2 | 7.6 |
| April | 7.6 | 6.0 | 59.8 | 8.1 |
| May | 9.0 | 7.6 | 53.5 | 9.8 |
| June | 10.8 | 9.6 | 56.1 | 11.6 |
| July | 12.7 | 11.5 | 59.9 | 12.8 |
| August | 13.5 | 12.2 | 74.7 | 13.4 |
| September | 12.9 | 11.4 | 93.2 | 13.4 |
| October | 11.2 | 9.5 | 127.0 | 12.3 |
| November | 9.4 | 7.4 | 129.9 | 11.0 |
| December | 7.9 | 5.7 | 121.3 | 9.7 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (5 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022.
About 90 minutes, depending on the sailing.
The journey only takes 90 minutes. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
The journey takes 90 minutes. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
Up to 6 a day.
This ferry sails up to 6 times a day. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
The first sailing of the day is from Stromness to Scrabster and the final sailing is from Scrabster to Stromness at 19:00. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
The ferry sails up to 3 times a day from Scrabster and up to 3 times a day from Stromness. (NorthLink Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk)
Who sails each route and how long the crossing takes.
| Route | Operator | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Scrabster to Stromness This route | NorthLink Ferries | About 90 minutes |
| Aberdeen to Kirkwall | 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 |
| 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 |
