NorthLink and Pentland Ferries review sailings from Caithness in face of forecast gales

FERRY services between Caithness and Orkney could be disrupted on Wednesday.

Severe gales are set to batter northern Scotland and NorthLink Ferries has announced that it is reviewing its 4.45pm sailing from Stromness to Scrabster and its 7pm sailing from Scrabster to Stromness.

The move comes after the Met Office issued a yellow alert, with westerly winds expected to reach up to 70 mph by the end of the afternoon.

A company spokeswoman said that the firm is continuing to monitor the situation before making a final decision at 10.30am tomorrow.

She said: "It looks like the area will experience severe gales and the forecast looks very bad at the moment.

"Even our larger boats which sail between Aberdeen and Shetland are currently under review, but we will make our final decision on whether these services will run tomorrow morning."

The company expects its 8.45am and 1.15pm service from Scrabster to Stromness to run as scheduled along with the 6.30am and 11am service from Stromness to Scrabster.

Pentland Ferries will review its afternoon sailings between Gills Bay and St Margaret’s Hope and will make an announcement tomorrow morning.