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Orkney Ferries

Ferry Signs - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Orkney: a choice of islands

It would be easy to think, as an outsider, that Orkney is a single place. It isn’t. It’s a whole series of …

Stronsay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

A day trip to Stronsay

Stronsay is one of the ‘other’ Orkney islands. I’ve not been there before because there’s no way of getting there from Westray …

Rainbow - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey

View from the ferry

The higher the sun, the lower the rainbow. The lower the sun, the higher the rainbow. This photograph must have been taken …

Orkney Ferries - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Orkney Ferries to Westray

I’m heading to one of the North Isles of Orkney, which are North Isles themselves. I took this photograph of the North …

The cafe on Orkney Ferries - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Ritual and Tradition

Food is a subject of much ritual and tradition, no more so than when I’m on Westray. There’s coffee and cake at …

MV Varagen - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

928 tonnes

The MV Varagen was built in Selby in 1989 and weighs 928 tonnes unladen. I’m currently thanking Archimedes that it floats.

Sunset on the Ferry

Catching the late ferry

It’s Sunday so it’s the late ferry from Kirkwall to Westray tonight. It’ll be dark when we get there. I walk on …

Orkney Ferries

Ferry Fare

I’m on the Westray-bound ferry and suffering from heavy teas.

Muster Stations

Muster Stations

It’s time to board the Westray Ferry and to hear the familiar Orcadian voice telling us about the ‘Emergency Procedure’ and ‘Muster …

Rust at Rapness - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Rust at Rapness

The iron sheets holding the concrete protection for the Orkney Ferries terminal at Rapness are beautiful in this light.

Breakfast on the Ferry

Breakfast on the Ferry

A cup of tea. A bacon roll. A Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer. On the Orkney Ferry to Westray. £2.80. Breakfast.

North Isles

North Isles

The ferry to Westray is due in less than an hour. There’s just time to admire the blue skies, the boats in …

Heading home

Heading home

It’s time to head home with a heavy heart. The light on the boat is on in the daytime with blue skies …

Yet More Steps

Yet More Steps

Earl Sigurd is a wonderful ferry. It’s time to journey to Westray aboard the Earl Sigurd and there are more steps to …

Steps and Stairs

Steps and Stairs

So when does a set of steps on a ladder become a set of stairs? The answer is; on an Orkney Ferry. …

Leaving my keys

Leaving my keys

It’s time to cross from the Mainland (and that’s the name for the main island of Orkney, not the UK mainland) to …

Earl Thorfinn

Earl Thorfinn

It’s time for a trip to the Mainland. No, not the mainland of Scotland, the Mainland of Orkney. Mainland is an hour …

Balfour Castle - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

The Islands of Orkney

Orkney is a plural. It’s acceptable to say ‘the Islands of Orkney’. It’s fine to say ‘Orkney’. Saying ‘the Orkney Islands’ won’t …

The first glimpse of Kirkwall - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

The first glimpse of Kirkwall

The ferry from Westray to Orkney takes over an hour to make the journey to the Mainland of Orkney. It’s easy for …

Ferry

The Ferry

Orkney Ferries run a service to be proud of. Whether it’s a small group of tourists or a farmer with his tractor …