How to get to Rousay



M.V. Eynhallow

The island of Rousay shares a boat, the 'M.V. Eynhallow', with two other islands - Wyre and Egilsay. The boat is able to take both passengers and cars to and from Tingwall (on the mainland of Orkney), and between the islands themselves.

The journey between Rousay and Tingwall will take approximately 20-25 minutes.

The boat operates seven days a week during the Summer months, although there is no Sunday sailing during the Winter months.

The ferry can take up to 10 cars at any time. Passenger capacity is set to a maximum of 95 during the summer, although this is reduced to 50 during the winter months.

Vehicles are reversed onto the boat, and then driven off on arrival.

There is a Passenger Lounge on board, complete with a drinks machine and toilets.

It is advisable to book if you are taking your vehicle, by telephoning Tingwall's Booking Office (01856 751360). Alternatively, passengers may leave their vehicle in the free car park, at the Ferry Terminal, Tingwall.

There is a waiting area within Tingwall's Booking Office, with a payphone and toilets. Leaflets and brochures on Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre are also available to view. A bus stand is next to the Booking Office.

Please see further below for ferry prices and timetables.

For those who do not have a vehicle, there is a public bus service which can take you to and from Tingwall. A public bus service also operates on Rousay.

There are also several ways of getting to Orkney.


Ferry Prices

(for travel between Rousay and Tingwall)

Prices correct as at 1st April 2010. Please check before travelling.


Adult:
£3.60 (Single);
£7.20 (Return);
£27.00 (10 Journey Book);
£50.40 (20 Journey Book);
£90.00 (50 Journey Book);

Junior/Student:
£1.80 (Single);
£3.60 (Return);
£13.50 (10 Journey Book);
£25.20 (20 Journey Book);
£45.00 (50 Journey Book);

Senior Citizen/Registered Disabled:
£1.80 (Single);
£3.60 (Return);
£18.00 (10 Journey Book);
£36.00 (20 Journey Book);
N/A (50 Journey Book);

Under 5/Registered Blind:
Free (Single/Return);

Vehicle up to 5.0m (16'6"):
£11.50 (Single);
£23.00 (Return);
£86.25 (10 Journey Book);
£161.00 (20 Journey Book);
£287.50 (50 Journey Book);


Please check the Orkney Ferries website for prices for bicycles, mobile homes, etc.

(Please Note: Orkney Ferries link opens in a new window).

Ferry Times

The following ferry times, between Rousay and Tingwall, are
effective from 2 May 2010 - 26 September 2010 inclusive:

Departs Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Rousay 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 ----
Tingwall 0820 0820 0820 0820 0820 0840 ----
Rousay 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1010
Tingwall 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1045
Rousay 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1120
Tingwall 1150 1150 1240 1150 1150 1150 1155
Rousay 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410 1410
Tingwall 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445
Rousay 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520
Tingwall 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605 1605
Rousay 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730
Tingwall 1805 1805 1805 1805 1805 1805 1805


Stagecoach in Orkney

Stagecoach in Orkney operates bus services to and from Tingwall, where the ferry to Rousay departs. Please check all times before travel, by telephoning Stagecoach's Orkney office: 01856 870555.

Please Note: Stagecoach in Orkney do not travel on Sundays.

The following times are for bus travel between Tingwall and Kirkwall (via Finstown):

Departs Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Kirkwall 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 ----
Tingwall 0810 0810 0810 0810 0810 0810
Kirkwall 0935 0935 0935 0935 0935 ----
Tingwall 1030 1030 1030 1030 1030 1030
Kirkwall 1335 1335 1335 1335 1335 1335
Tingwall 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445 1445
Kirkwall 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 ----
Tingwall 1610 1610 1610 1610 1610 ----
Kirkwall 1710 1710 1710 1710 1710 1710
Tingwall 1823 1823 1823 1823 1823 1805


The bus journey between Kirkwall and Tingwall takes approximately 25 minutes, or longer, depending on when you travel. Should the ferry from Rousay be late arriving at Tingwall, this bus service will wait for passengers for up to 15 minutes.

The following times are for bus travel between Tingwall and Stromness, from 2 June 2010 onwards:

Departs Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Stromness 0930 0930 0930 0930 0930 0930
Tingwall 1035 1035 1035 1035 1035 1035
Stromness 1630 1630 1630 1630 1630 1630
Tingwall 1755 1755 1755 1755 1755 1755


The bus journey between Stromness and Tingwall takes approximately 1 hour. Should the ferry from Rousay be late arriving at Tingwall, this bus service will wait for passengers for up to 15 minutes.


Getting to Orkney

There is an airport in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. Flybe schedules regular flights in and out of Orkney, including direct flights to: Aberdeen; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Inverness; Sumburgh (Shetland); and Bergen (Norway). For more details, please visit the Kirkwall Airport website.

(Please Note: Kirkwall Airport link opens in a new window).

Alternatively, the following are ferry services which can take you to and from Orkney:

Northlink Ferries - Hamnavoe

Northlink Ferries - Hamnavoe
(Please Note: The following links open in a new window).

Northlink Ferries

Pentland Ferries

John O'Groats Ferry



Taxi Services

The following Taxi Services operate on the Mainland of Orkney:

Bob's Taxis, Kirkwall 01856 876543
Craigie's Taxis, Kirkwall 01856 878787
George's Taxi Services, Kirkwall 01856 873000
Brass's Taxis, Stromness 01856 850750