Extra vehicle space on Easter boats

NorthLink is to lay on extra freight sailings later this week in order to create extra vehicle space on its passenger ferries over Easter weekend.

The freight vessel Hildasay will make an extra journey from Lerwick to Aberdeen on Thursday, returning from Aberdeen to Lerwick on Friday.

These extra two crossings of the Hildasay will shift freight vehicles onto the vessel and create more space for cars on the passenger ferries in the holiday period.

NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett said: “We always take care to monitor our passenger numbers and where there is the call for it we can increase our services in order to accommodate this.

“Traditionally Easter weekend is a popular time for people to travel to the islands to visit family or take a break, however, having recently launched our tourism campaign ‘Far Isn’t Far’, encouraging mainland residents to visit the Northern Isles, we have seen an increase in demand for travel to the islands.”