Record-breaking season for cruise liners visiting Kirkwall

The most successful cruise season ever has come to an end for Kirkwall with 87 port calls delivering 82,000 passengers and 3.25 million gross tonnes of shipping.

Michael Morrison, business development manager with the council’s marine services said: “Despite the poor weather for most of the summer, we had only one port call cancel which ironically was the last call of the season on October 22.

“Huge credit must go too all of those who contributed in every way to welcoming and serving this large number of national and internal passengers and Orkney has had its reputation further enhanced as a ‘must see’  destination on the Around Britain and European itineraries.

“In 2015, we welcomed nine new ships that had never called to Orkney previously, and the largest liners to call were the Royal Princess and Britannia, both carrying over 3500 passengers.”

Next season, which starts in March and finishes on December 30, should be another record-breaking year and forward bookings are very healthy.

Kirkwall continues, by some margin, to be the most popular cruise ship destination in the United Kingdom, and one of the most sought after ports of call for maritime tourism in northern Europe.