May 02, 2013 00:00 BST Setting sail for

VisitScotland can confirm that Orkney is still very much open for business following the temporary suspension of the NorthLink ferry service, MV Hamnavoe which runs between Scrabster and Stromness. The ferry was taken from service at short notice due to an unforeseen technical failure and will be back in operation by Friday 24 May.

There are a number of alternative ways to get to Orkney, including the NorthLink ferry service from Aberdeen to , service from to St Margaret’s Hope, the John O’Groats ferry from Burwick to John O Groats and flights with Flybe to a range of Scottish and other UK destinations.

Serco NorthLink Ferries is working with other transport operators to help passengers with alternative travel arrangements which includes free courtesy bus travel between NorthLink ferry operations and those of Pentland Ferries. Pentland Ferries are also adding extra services to their Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope route during this period.

Travel advice to passengers is as follows:

Passengers can call NorthLink Ferries on 0845 6000449 if they require further information.

Passengers who have not yet been contacted and holding bookings between now and 24th May should call NorthLink Ferries on 0845 6000449

Pentland Ferries will put on additional sailings and will sail four times per day in each direction between the mainland (Gills Bay) and Orkney (St Margaret’s Hope) on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th May. They normally operate three return sailings a day. Tickets and timetables can be booked here: http://www.pentlandferries.co.uk/

NorthLink Ferries will provide courtesy bus travel for passengers between Stromness and Pentland Ferries at St Margaret’s Hope and from Gills Bay to Scrabster with a drop-off in and Kirkwall.

Alternative transport to the mainland is also possible via NorthLink’s timetabled service between Kirkwall and Aberdeen.

The John O’Groats - Burwick ferry can be booked here: http://www.jogferry.co.uk

NorthLink Ferries will help passengers to book alternative options and welcome them to their offices in Scrabster, Stromness, and at Kiln Corner in Kirkwall where staff can assist with bookings.

Further information on sailings will be announced on the NorthLink ferries website as it comes available at http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/

NorthLink Info:

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/other/news-archive/ http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/opsnews/

Notes to Editors:

• Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews • VisitScotland is ’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. • The organisation has three key roles: 1. To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors 2. To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland 3. To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations

• VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow. • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland. • 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com • The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face- to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy. • According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland. • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/ • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh) • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com • For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx Contacts

Chelsea Charles Press Contact Scotland’s Themed Years Communications & Engagement Manager Contact for media enquiries on: Scotland’s Themed Years (i.e. 2018 Year of Young People; 2020 Year of Scotland's Coast and Waters; 2022 Year of Scotland's Stories) [email protected] 0131 472 2067

Carrie MacWilliam Press Contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - National Contact for media enquiries on: Travel media (Scotland); Year of Young People; UK Marketing; Dundee; Fife; Angus; Perthshire [email protected] 0131 472 2052 Out of hours - 0131 472 2324

Amelia Whittaker Press Contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - Regional Contact for media enquiries on: South Region; Edinburgh and Lothians; Food and Drink; Scottish Thistle Awards [email protected] 01750 723806 Out of hours - 0131 472 2324