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Ferries

 run regular services between Aberdeen and Kirkwall, and between Scrabster and Stromness (where campus is located).   Islander Discounts for ferry travel is available once resident in Orkney. This can be a huge saving for students travelling on and off island. 

run a regular ferry from Gill's Bay near Thurso to St Margaret's Hope in Orkney (around 30 miles from Stromness).   

Getting to Scrabster (ferry port)

You can take a bus from central (Edinburgh & Glasgow) and northeast Scotland (Aberdeen) to Scrabster. Either the M90 from Edinburgh, the M10 from Glasgow, or the M96 from Aberdeen to Inverness and then from there take the X99 to Scrabster.

Trains

operate rail services from centre and northeast Scotland to Thurso (around 2.5 miles from the Scrabster ferry port).   

 is situated about 18 miles from Stromness and there are regular flights to the island. There is an that connects with the regular bus service between Kirkwall and Stromness. There are also taxis available at the airport.  

Exploring Orkney with a car is a great way to experience the islands at your own pace.  If you choose to take you own car, it can a cost-effective way to travel.  Fuel is usually a few pence more than you would expect to pay on the UK mainland.  

If you don’t have your own car, but are licensed to drive in the UK, then hiring a car for a day or weekend to explore the island, or get some shopping at the bigger stores in Kirkwall, may be a good option. There are a range of different car hire companies you can choose from.

• (electric vehicle car hire) – paid membership at your own expense is required to hire vehicles. Currently for students, this is free. Cars can be picked up on campus.

Stagecoach runs a regular X1 bus service between Stromness and Kirkwall as well as to St Margaret’s Hope in the east of the Mainland. Operating 7 days a week with varying times throughout the day. Specific times can be found on the 

While taxis are a convenient way to explore Orkney, with some offering personalised tours, they can be an expensive way to travel around Orkney. Advance booking is recommended especially in the summer months, but most are available on the day of booking.