Freight vessel takes over on Pentland Firth ferry route

With the Hamnavoe away on refit from today, the NorthLink ferry service from Stromness to Scrabster will be covered by the 12-passenger freight vessel Helliar.

The Hamnavoe will be out of service until January 23.

While the move has been criticised locally, NorthLink has said it was unable to source another passenger ferry to service on the route, adding that the maintenance period was scheduled to coincide with the quietest time of the year for passengers and freight.

The company added that Pentland Ferries has confirmed that it has capacity for all potential NorthLink passengers and that a courtesy bus will operate between the NorthLink and Pentland Ferries terminals at each location.