Stormy winter weather continues to batter northern Scotland, with ferry services to the Shetland and Orkney islands facing fresh disruption as operators warn travellers to expect short notice changes and potential cancellations.

NorthLink Ferries, which runs lifeline passenger and freight links between Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stromness, has issued updated service warnings as strong winds, high seas and lingering snow showers compound an already difficult start to January for island transport.

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NorthLink Ferries has confirmed that its Northern Isles routes remain under close review as unsettled weather patterns persist across the North Atlantic and North Sea. The operator has already implemented multiple timetable changes during the first weeks of January, adjusting departure times, cancelling intermediate calls and holding freight vessels in port while conditions remain unsafe.

On 2 January, passenger services resumed after the New Year period with weather related changes, including the southbound Hjaltland sailing from Lerwick to Aberdeen running without its scheduled call at Kirkwall and further disruption forecast into the following day. The company warned that strong northerly winds, heavy snow showers and rough seas would likely affect punctuality and the ability to maintain the full timetable across the NorthLink network.

Although some sailings have since operated, NorthLink continues to caution that both passenger and freight departures can be delayed, re-timed or cancelled entirely at short notice. Travellers are being urged to monitor the operator’s latest service update pages and communication channels before setting off for ports, and to be prepared for extended journey times and potential last minute changes.

Met Office warnings and severe sea conditions behind disruption

The disruption comes against a backdrop of severe winter conditions affecting much of Scotland and northern England. The Met Office has repeatedly issued yellow and amber alerts for snow, ice and strong winds across the north in recent weeks, with Arctic air driving temperatures well below freezing and heavy snowfalls hitting inland routes. In Shetland, an amber snow warning covering the islands into the first weekend of January signalled particularly difficult conditions for both sea and land transport.

High winds and rough or very rough sea states around the north of Scotland have created challenging conditions for vessels crossing exposed stretches of water such as the Pentland Firth and the open North Sea route between Aberdeen and Shetland. Even larger passenger ferries, designed to operate year-round, are required to slow, alter course or seek shelter when wave height, swell direction and gust strength exceed agreed safety thresholds.

Forecasters expect the unsettled pattern to persist in the short term, with further wintry showers, strong gusts and periods of poor visibility likely around the Northern Isles. While a brief moderation in winds can allow some services to sail, operators face the continual task of balancing demand for travel with an obligation to avoid undue risk to passengers, crew and cargo.

Impact on Shetland routes: delays, diversions and missed calls

For Shetland residents, the recent spell of stormy weather has reinforced the vulnerability of lifeline links that connect the islands to mainland Scotland. The overnight Aberdeen to Lerwick services, which often call at Kirkwall in Orkney, have been among the most affected by the combination of heavy seas and crosswinds. NorthLink has warned that arrivals into Lerwick may be several hours late when vessels are forced to reduce speed for safety reasons.

In early January, the southbound Hjaltland departure from Lerwick sailed without its planned Kirkwall stop to minimise exposure to the worst of the conditions and preserve a safe passage to Aberdeen. Similar operational decisions, including leaving ports earlier than advertised or skipping intermediate calls, have been taken on multiple occasions during previous storms when forecasters signalled deteriorating weather later in the night.

Freight services, which carry essential supplies ranging from supermarket goods to fuel and construction materials, have also experienced interruptions. On several occasions cargo vessels have remained in harbour while strong winds and heavy seas passed through, delaying shipments but reducing the risk to crew and cargo. For island businesses operating on tight supply chains, even short gaps in scheduled freight can be keenly felt.

Orkney and Pentland Firth crossings also under strain

The shorter but notoriously exposed route between Stromness in Orkney and Scrabster on the north coast has likewise come under pressure during recent gales. The MV Hamnavoe, which makes up to six crossings a day across the Pentland Firth, is particularly sensitive to sea state and cross seas in this narrow, tidal stretch. Winter storms routinely force the suspension of individual sailings when conditions are judged to be unsafe for vehicles and passengers.

Strong swell, gusting winds and frequent showers have all contributed to a pattern of delays and cancellations on this corridor, interrupting travel plans for residents, visiting workers and tourists. With air services also affected at times by low cloud, snow and high winds, those heading to or from Orkney have faced limited alternatives during the worst of the weather. Local authorities and transport operators have repeatedly advised that only essential journeys should be attempted when Met Office warnings are active.

Although some windows of calmer weather have allowed the Hamnavoe to sail between fronts, the uncertainty has led travellers to build additional flexibility into plans, particularly for onward connections by rail or road on the Scottish mainland. For those moving livestock, machinery or time-sensitive cargo, scheduling around rapidly changing forecasts remains a particular challenge.

Travel advice: plan for disruption and monitor updates closely

With more unsettled conditions anticipated, both NorthLink Ferries and public agencies are urging passengers to adopt a cautious, flexible approach to travel over the coming days. Prospective travellers are advised to check the latest ferry service updates shortly before leaving for ports, sign up for operator alerts where available and allow extra time for connections or road travel to terminals that may themselves be affected by snow and ice.

Passengers are encouraged to ensure that contact details on bookings are up to date so that they can receive direct notifications of any change to departure times, cancellations or revised boarding procedures. Those planning essential journeys are also being reminded to carry any required medication, warm clothing, food and water in case of extended waiting times either ashore or on board delayed vessels.

Transport and emergency services continue to emphasise that safety takes precedence over timetable reliability when conditions deteriorate, and that cancellations or diversions, while frustrating, are taken to reduce risk at sea. Travellers are being urged to consider whether journeys can be postponed or rearranged if weather warnings are upgraded or if the operator signals a high probability of disruption.

Wider Scottish transport network feels knock-on effects

The ferry problems in the Northern Isles are part of a broader pattern of weather related disruption across Scotland since the turn of the year. Heavy snowfalls and icy conditions have affected main roads, rail lines and other ferry routes, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. Train operators have cancelled or curtailed some services, while trunk roads have been periodically closed due to jack-knifed lorries, stranded vehicles and poor visibility.

On the west coast, CalMac Ferries has also reported widespread disruption on routes serving the Hebrides, with vessels weather bound during periods of severe gales and very rough seas. The cumulative impact has been to slow movement of people and goods throughout the country, prompting repeated warnings from transport authorities that travellers should check conditions carefully and avoid non-essential journeys during severe weather alerts.

For residents in island communities, where ferry links form the primary connection to the mainland for everything from medical appointments to education and commerce, the combination of snow, ice and high winds has been particularly disruptive. Local councils and community organisations have stepped up support for vulnerable residents, ensuring that those who cannot travel still receive essential supplies and assistance.

Island communities weigh resilience amid changing climate

The latest spell of storms and sea disruptions is renewing debate in Orkney and Shetland about the resilience of transport links in a changing climate. While winter gales and rough seas are not new to the Northern Isles, climate scientists and local leaders alike have highlighted the risk that more frequent or more intense extreme weather events could increase the number of days each year when services are curtailed.

For ferry operators, adapting to these conditions may involve further investment in modern vessels, improved forecasting tools and more flexible scheduling that can respond rapidly as weather windows open and close. For communities, the focus is increasingly on building robust local supply chains, contingency plans and digital connectivity so that work, education and healthcare can continue even when physical travel becomes difficult.

Recent commitments from the Scottish Government to invest in Northern Isles ferry services, including funding for replacement vessels and changes to fare structures for island residents, have been broadly welcomed. However, the experience of early 2026 serves as a reminder that infrastructure upgrades will need to go hand in hand with realistic expectations about what winter sea travel can safely deliver in some of Europe’s most challenging maritime conditions.

Outlook: unsettled but closely monitored days ahead

Forecasts for the coming days suggest that while the most intense cold and heavy snowfall may ease at times, further bands of showers, strong winds and potentially hazardous seas are likely to continue affecting routes to and from the Northern Isles. NorthLink Ferries has reiterated that it will continue to review each sailing individually, taking into account detailed marine forecasts, vessel capabilities and port conditions before deciding whether to proceed.

Travellers with bookings in the days ahead are being encouraged to maintain close contact with the operator, remain flexible where possible, and prepare for the possibility that adverse conditions may re-emerge even after brief periods of calm. As Scotland navigates its midwinter storms, the experience of passengers, crews and island communities once again underlines the central but weather dependent role that ferry links play in the daily life of Orkney and Shetland.