Ferry departs early

THOSE planning to travel by ferry to Aberdeen today (Wednesday) need to hurry as the departure of the Hrossey has just been brought forward by five and a half hours to avoid the worst of the weather.

Serco NorthLink said their passenger vessel was estimated to leave Lerwick at midday, arriving in Orkney between 6pm and 8pm, but not leaving Kirkwall for Aberdeen before 3am on Thursday morning.

Estimated time of arrival in the Granite City is midday on Thursday, 24 hours after leaving Lerwick.

NorthLink said that check-in in Lerwick would be between 10.30 and 11.30am this morning.

With the Hjaltland in drydock there is no northbound sailing on Wednesday.

The next departure from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick is Thursday at 5pm.

The sailings of the freight vessels Hildasay and Helliar have been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions.

For a detailed weather forecast see www.shetnews.co.uk/weather

Shetland islands Council said that their inter island flight to Foula and Fair Isle have been cancelled.