Issue 1 Northern PLUS Children’s Lights competition INSIDE Orkney and Shetland Golfing in highlights the North of Scotland Lighthouse cover story: Highland Park Fair Isle South Photography competition NorthLink Ferries on board magazine Welcome Contents A warm welcome on board and to Northern Lights Welcome 2 – our new magazine. Travel information - Serco is delighted to operate NorthLink Ferries on behalf of the Scottish on board features Government. These are lifeline ferry services for islanders, ensuring that people to suit you and goods can get to and from the mainland. However, the ferries also provide 3 a gateway for tourists and businesses to access the islands. We aim to provide Meet our Captain you with a comfortable crossing, great services on board and value for money. 6 Since Serco began the operation of NorthLink Ferries in July 2012 we have been Lighthouse feature working hard to refurbish the ships and improve the services that we offer. (cover story) 7 I’m sure you won’t have missed the bold new look of our ferries with the large Orkney and Shetland Viking dominating the side of our ships. Don’t they look fantastic? On board, there is much to experience during your journey – from recliner seats and highlights 8 comfortable sleeping pods to the Viklings Den for play time, a games zone and new menus, with lots of locally sourced produce to choose from. Caithness and Aberdeen highlights For those looking for an exclusive area to relax and dine, our Magnus’ Lounge 10 is the answer. Depending on the service you are sailing with, customers with Highland Park upgraded travel or accommodation can enjoy the benefits of Magnus’ Lounge. 12 These include a range of complimentary food and beverage packages, allowing Photo competition you to unwind whilst we take care of everything else. 14 This issue of Northern Lights includes a number of features for you to enjoy – Children’s section – whether you are interested in golf or food, there is something for everyone. And, drawing/colouring of course, we haven’t forgotten about the children on board today (see page 15). competition 15 Over the last two years we have listened to passengers and a wide variety of stakeholders. We will continue to do so and would welcome your feedback Salmon from the anytime. Northern Isles 16 I hope you have a comfortable journey and that you make the most of the Golfing in the facilities on board. Please do speak to any of my colleagues on board if there is North of Scotland anything more we can do to help or improve your sailing with us. 18 NorthLink Ferries Stromness Ferry Terminal, Ferry Road, Stromness, Stuart Garrett Orkney, Scotland, KW16 3BH Managing Director Email: [email protected] Serco NorthLink Ferries Web: www.northlinkferries.co.uk Contact Stuart If you have any questions, ideas or concerns then please contact me anytime at [email protected] 2 Issue 1 Travel information MV Hamnavoe MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey Scrabster - Stromness Aberdeen – Kirkwall - Lerwick NEW - Magnus’ Lounge Magnus’ Lounge – The lounge provides We are proud to now offer open until late access to power sockets Magnus’ Lounge on board the Peace and quiet to work or to charge your electrical MV Hamnavoe. Here you will unwind – this is Magnus’ Lounge. items. You can pre-book receive complimentary: You can select from a number of a ticket for Magnus’ • Tea and coffee complimentary items, including: Lounge or purchase on • Soft drinks • Tea and coffee board. If you have booked one of our Premium • Soft drinks • Hot filled rolls or Executive cabins (during morning sailings) • Two bar vouchers then lounge access is • Bar voucher (during afternoon • Complimentary continental complimentary – enjoy! and evening sailings) breakfast • Snacks • Snacks • Daily newspapers and • Daily newspapers and magazines magazines The lounge also provides access to power sockets to charge your electrical items. MV Hamnavoe Bed and Breakfast – from £47.50 per cabin* Our B&B offer on board the Hamnavoe helps And with up to two complimentary you get the most from your time in Orkney, continental or full Scottish breakfasts with a relaxed start to your onward journey. per cabin, you will be set up for the rest Passengers are able to spend the night on of your day. board in one of our comfortable en-suite cabins before travelling on the first sailing * Price is for an outer two berth / outer four berth from Stromness to Scrabster. We are pleased cabin in low / mid season. Please check our fares for other cabin prices. Up to two breakfasts per cabin are to now also offer this convenient arrangement included. Does not include passenger / vehicle fare. on our weekend sailing from Stromness at 0900, arriving in Scrabster at 1030. 3 NorthLink Ferries on board magazine Travel information Cabins Sleeping pods All accommodation If you want a good night’s on board NorthLink sleep without the cost of ferries has been built your own cabin then try with your comfort our new exclusive use in mind. Cabins are sleeping pods. The seat modern, clean and fully reclines back to allow you to equipped with en-suite, lie and sleep without intruding on washbasin, toilet and shower facilities. the space of the person behind. *All have been fitted with individual temperature controls and tea and Costing £18, each comes with its own large coffee making facilities. table, adjustable lighting and a USB socket to charge electrical devices. The price also There are various cabin options to suit includes a sleeping pack with blanket, pillow every budget, including exclusive use, and eye mask, as well as a token for a free shared, inside and outside, sleeping shower in the facilities next door (exclusively between one and four passengers. for those purchasing a sleeping pod). This pack For those with restricted mobility, can be collected from the ship’s reception desk. we have two and three berth cabins that benefit from more space, with easy access doors, bed hoists, toilet On board shop and shower facilities and assistance NorthLink Ferries’ on board alarms. With a limited number of these shops stock the best of cabins available on each ship, advance the Shetland and Orkney booking is advised. Please note, these islands’ crafts and produce, cabins do not have windows. with a wide selection of jewellery, knitwear, wines and spirits. Reclining chairs For passengers There is an extensive range of books and choosing to travel magazines, including many from local writers. without overnight Our Vikling range which includes T-shirts, accommodation or hoodies and stationery is popular with visitors a sleeping pod, there and locals alike. With excellent value for money are reclining chairs designer fragrances, compared to high street available. These seats can prices, it’s affordable to take a gift home for a be booked with your travel. Blankets loved one. and pillows can be hired from the Northern Isles Shop on board. We understand it is easy to forget a vital item when travelling. Our well-stocked shops mean we will likely have exactly what you need. 4 *Hjaltland and Hrossey only. Issue 1 Kids Eat Free * Up to two children (under 16s) eat breakfast for Breakfast choices free with each adult breakfast purchased Hjaltland / Hrossey: Continental breakfast From 0600 - 0900 Aberdeen arrival Adults £6.95 & Children £3.49* From 0630 - 0900 Lerwick arrival • Cereal Hamnavoe: • Fresh fruit Weekdays 0630 - 1015 • Grapefruit or orange segments Weekends 0900 - 1030 • Danish pastries • Croissant with butter and preserve All you can eat breakfast • Cold meats and cheeses Adults £9.95 & Children £4.95* • Hard boiled eggs (shell on) • A full cooked Scottish breakfast • A selection of chilled juices or a choice from bacon, sausage, grilled tomatoes, black pudding, • Hot drinks from our ETHYCO Fair sautéed mushrooms, fried or Trade range scrambled eggs and potato • Teas – breakfast tea, infusion and scones herbal teas • Cereal • Coffees – Americano, Cappuccino, • Fresh fruit Latté and Espresso • Grapefruit or orange segments • Decaffeinated coffees – Americano, Cappuccino, Latté • Danish pastries • Hot chocolate • Croissant with butter and preserve • Cold meats and cheeses • Hard boiled eggs (shell on) Lite bite alternative • A selection of chilled juices • Bacon or sausage softie £3.40 • Hot drinks from our ETHYCO Fair • Cereal £2.50 Trade range • Danish pastry £2.50 • Teas – breakfast tea, infusion and • Croissant with butter and preserve herbal teas £2.50 • Coffees – Americano, Cappuccino, • Toast (two rounds) with butter Latté and Espresso and preserve £1.95 • Decaffeinated coffees – • Americano / Espresso £2.10 Americano, Cappuccino, Latté • Cappuccino / Latté £2.45 • Hot chocolate 5 NorthLink Ferries on board magazine Meet Our Captain Captain Stewart Gunn – My Story Stewart Gunn has served in command So, how did you on all three of NorthLink Ferries’ ships at begin working in the various times over the last seven years. ferry business? Northern Lights asks him where it all began… Working with a ferry operator was the ultimate dream for me from Captain Stewart Gunn So, why a career at sea? a very early age. P&O Scottish Ferries employed me as Second Officer in Being born in Orkney, and raised in This information, along with 1994. I spent most of my time on the Stromness, I have been around boats the knowledge of the handling ‘St Ola’ where I achieved the position of from a very young age. My parents characteristics of the vessel and the Relief Master shortly before P&O lost the would not let me go out in a dinghy or fact that we will likely be carrying contract in 2002. small sailing boat (a flattie) until I learned people who are unaccustomed to to swim so this was achieved by the the movement of ships in a seaway, I transferred over to NorthLink Ferries time I was 11 and from then on there are just some of the things I consider.