The journey here is part of the adventure, whichever way you get to Orkney. From soaring over the Pentland Firth to sailing into historic harbours, several ways exist to reach our beautiful islands.
By Air
Orkney is well connected by air, with flights operated by Loganair from across Scotland and beyond.
- From Heathrow – Direct daily flights to Kirkwall with Loganair.
- From Scottish airports – Frequent daily departures from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Aberdeen.
- Booking tip – British Airways codeshares with Loganair, so you can also book your journey through BA.
Flights land at Kirkwall Airport, just a short drive from the town centre and a convenient starting point for tours with JP Orkney.
By Ferry
Ferries offer a scenic way to reach Orkney; all services carry foot passengers and vehicles.
NorthLink Ferries
- Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness – Three sailings daily. This is the most popular route for travellers who have limited time. Stromness is also where many of our day tours begin.
- Aberdeen to Kirkwall – Three sailings per week, ideal for those from further south.
Pentland Ferries
- Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope – Three daily sailings on this short, scenic route. This crossing is ideal if you’re driving up the east coast of Scotland.
By Cruise Ship
Orkney is a popular stop on many cruise itineraries, particularly during summer. Cruise guests often disembark in Kirkwall or Stromness. If you’re arriving this way, ask about our private or small group day tours tailored to fit your shore time.
Stay a while with JP Orkney
All ferry and flight visitors are warmly encouraged to stay a while and explore the islands on one of our multi-day tours. Whether you’re drawn by Neolithic wonders, dramatic coastlines, or peaceful island life, we’ll help you discover Orkney’s true spirit – and maybe even a bit of island hopping too.
We offer a range of thoughtfully curated itineraries, including:
- Orkney Itinerary: Wildlife Tour – Perfect for nature lovers, this tour focuses on Orkney’s incredible birdlife, seals, wildflowers, and seasonal highlights.
- Orkney Itinerary: Scapa Flow Tour – Dive into naval history with a journey around the iconic Scapa Flow, including wartime landmarks and local stories.
- Orkney Itinerary: Hoy One-Day Private Tour – Visit dramatic cliffs, wartime relics, and sweeping moorland on the rugged island of Hoy.
- Orkney Itinerary: One-Day Private Tour Rousay – Known as the “Egypt of the North,” Rousay is packed with chambered tombs, sea views, and quiet charm.
For those with a tighter Scottish travel schedule, we also offer a flexible Orkney One-Day Private Tour, which aligns perfectly with the popular Scrabster to Stromness ferry route. Check out the customisable itinerary here. It’s amazing what you can experience in just a day on tour with us!
Let’s plan your Orkney escape.
Get in touch to create your perfect private tour – we can’t wait to welcome you.