Sunday sailings cancelled

BOTH the northbound and southbound Sunday night sailings of Serco NorthLink’s passenger vessels have been cancelled due to the weather – with both of Monday night’s sailings also under review.

The ferry operator confirmed on Sunday morning that MV Hrossey’s sailing from Aberdeen and MV Hjaltland’s sailing from Lerwick have both been cancelled due to the forecast of strong winds.

An update on the status of Monday night’s sailings will be issued tomorrow morning.

Freight vessel MV Hildasay is scheduled to depart Lerwick for Aberdeen at 6pm on Monday and there is a “high probability of cancellation”.

Meanwhile, Shetland Islands Council said on Sunday morning that the Bluemull Sound and Whalsay routes were suspended, while there was also disruption to the Yell Sound service.

According to the Met Office, southerly winds of around 50mph are expected to continue for much of Sunday with gusts of up to 70mph.