The car ferry "Pentalina B" provides the quickest way across the Pentland Firth, from St Margarets Hope on South Ronaldsay to Gills Bay in Caithness, sailing three times a day during the summer months, a journey time of about one-hour. It is advisable to book your passage due to the increased popularity of this service
www.pentlandferries.co.uk

"Hamnavoe" is the new car ferry operated by Northlink Ferries between Stromness and Scrabster, sailing three times a day, Monday to Friday, and twice on Saturday and Sunday.
Northlink also operate the service between Kirkwall and Aberdeen, and Kirkwall to Lerwick in Shetland.
www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Twelve of the smaller outer islands have a regular car ferry service. Flotta and Hoy are reached via the terminal at Houton. Rousay Egilsay and Wyre via the pier at Tingwall and the remaining North Isles, Stronsay, Eday, Westray, Papa Westray, Sanday and North Ronaldsay from the harbour at Kirkwall.
All these services are operated by Orkney Ferries. www.orkneyferries.co.uk

Possibly the best way to visit the Northern Isles is by the eight-seater Islander operated by Logan Air. www.loganair.co.uk There are daily flights to Stronsay, Eday, Westray, Papa Westray, Sanday and North Ronaldsay. Claimed to be the the shortest schedule service in the world is flight BA8872, departing Westray at 09:29 and arrives Papa Westray 09:31.

British Airways have daily flights from Kikwall to Wick, Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with connection to Manchester and London. www.britishairways.com