Strong winds cause transport disruption

Gale force westerly winds up to force nine have caused delays and cancellation of some ferry services and flights.

Tonight’s sailing of the NorthLink ferry Hrossey from Lerwick has been delayed until midnight (or earlier if conditions permit) due to the strong winds and sea conditions. The estimated time of arrival into Aberdeen tomorrow is 10am.

Meanwhile the ferry Hjaltland is scheduled to depart Aberdeen at 11.45pm tonight sailing for Kirkwall and Lerwick.  

NorthLink has warned that due to forecast sea conditions in the Fair Isle gap the departure from Kirkwall may be delayed by up to two hours, which would mean a later arrival in Lerwick tomorrow.

The Bressay ferry stopped running in the early afternoon but was going to attempt a crossing from Lerwick at 3.30pm.

There were no sailings to Fair Isle today and the Skerries ferry sailing time was altered because of the conditions. The services to Whalsay, Yell and Unst were running normally.

Flights in and out of Sumburgh have been operating to schedule, and both fixed wing and helicopter flights from Scatsta managed to operate. However these flights have been disrupted somewhat by the strong winds and sea states, and the airport is still coping with a backlog from yesterday when flying was disrupted by fog.