To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Pentland Ferries held a black-tie event in Kirkwall Grammar School last weekend (Saturday 9 May). Staff and crew were joined by suppliers, customers, families, and friends for an inspirational talk by Chris Lemons, the deep-sea diver who cheated death at the bottom of the North Sea for 35 minutes with only six minutes of air. His talk was followed by a gala dinner, live charity auction, and a dance.

Fundraising at the event, together with an online auction, has raised more than £15,000 – and still counting – for two Scottish maritime charities.

Funds raised will support the Scottish Shipping Benevolent Association and the Sailors’ Orphan Society of Scotland, both of which provide valuable support to members of the maritime community.

The online auction, which ran from 3 to 10 May, attracted strong support from suppliers and customers, with bidders competing for a wide range of prizes including a year’s free travel with Pentland Ferries, hospitality and visitor experiences, golfing packages, short breaks, and rare whiskies.
Many of the prizes were donated by local businesses, partners and supporters, helping to boost the total raised.

Helen Inkster, managing director of Pentland Ferries, said:
“Celebrating 25 years of service was the perfect opportunity not only to reflect on the company’s journey, but also to give something back through supporting two charities with close links to the maritime sector.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown through the auction and wider fundraising efforts. Thank you to everyone who donated prizes, placed bids, shared the auction, and contributed in any way. The support received has been fantastic.”

Since launching in May 2001, Pentland Ferries has provided a vital transport link between Caithness and Orkney.

Established in 2001 by Andrew Banks, the independent operator has grown from a single-vessel start-up into a key regional operator, developing ferry operations, fleet investment, and infrastructure on one of the UK’s most challenging maritime routes.

Pentland Ferries entered the market without public subsidy, building and operating its own terminals at Gills Bay and St Margaret’s Hope to support a shorter crossing between Caithness and Orkney.

The service commenced on 3 May 2001, when MV Pentalina B completed its first crossing carrying 12 passengers and five cars. Early uptake from both passengers and commercial operators demonstrated demand for additional capacity and route flexibility.

A step change in operations came in 2009 with the introduction of the purpose-built catamaran, MV Pentalina, increasing capacity and improving passenger comfort. The vessel supported sustained traffic growth, with passenger numbers rising significantly in the years following entry into service and stabilising at approximately 150,000 annually.

In 2019, the company expanded its capacity again with the introduction of MV Alfred. Around 30 per cent larger than its predecessor, the vessel can accommodate up to 98 cars, 12 HGV trailers and 450 passengers.

Designed with efficiency in mind, Alfred delivers significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions compared with conventional tonnage operating on Scottish island routes, aligning with increasing regulatory and environmental expectations across the sector.

The vessel received international recognition, winning in its category at the International Cruise and Ferry Ship of the Year Awards. Pentland Ferries also became the first UK ferry operator to achieve Green Tourism certification in 2020.

Over 25 years, Pentland Ferries has maintained service continuity while operating in a fully commercial environment alongside a publicly funded competitor.

The company remains privately owned and family-influenced, with founder Andrew Banks now serving as chairman. In 2022, Helen Inkster was appointed managing director, overseeing a period of operational complexity, including vessel deployment changes and commercial adjustments.

In recent years, MV Pentalina has returned to service on the Pentland Firth route, while the MV Alfred is on charter to Caledonian MacBrayne, providing resilience on Scotland’s Clyde and Hebrides network.

In 2024, Pentland Ferries received Highland Business Awards for both Positive Environmental Impact and Highland Business of the Year, reflecting its dual focus on commercial performance and sustainability.

Speaking at the event, director of Pentland Ferries Kathryn Banks said: “It has been a long journey but it all comes back to the fact that as a family we love the company, we love what we are doing, and we are so grateful to our employees and customers for helping us to reach this major milestone.

“Having grown up in the business since I was a young teen, it’s a really special thing, one that few people will have the good fortune to experience. To come through a family business from a child and manage to celebrate where we are today at 25 years is such a privilege.”

Pentland Ferries attended the Highland Business Awards on Friday (27 September 2024) knowing that they had been shortlisted for the Positive Environmental Impact award, which they were delighted to go on and win. What was an extra special surprise was winning overall Highland Business of the Year.

Colin Marr, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Highland Business Awards judging panel said: “Our congratulations again go to Helen Inkster and her dedicated team at Pentland Ferries on these very deserved accolades at the Highland Business Awards.

“Firstly, taking home the prize for Positive Environmental Impact, the judges could see that Pentland Ferries had considered its environmental impact at every stage of the business’ operations – from the ferries they purchased, to the packaging in their café, to their fleet of electric cars, and the wind power they use to run its ferries while in port. The business heavily promotes this to their customers, showing that they are leading by example, and encouraging them to join in. What’s so impressive is that they do all this with no public subsidy or funding support.

“Finally, drawing a close to proceedings, Pentland Ferries scooped the coveted Highland Business of the Year award. Our judges said that choosing an overall business from amongst all our winners was a hard task, but we were inspired by Pentland Ferries. For a family-owned business, with no public sector support, to not only run their own successful ferry company but to also be able to lend their more famous and heavily supported rival a ferry, while also making environmental improvements that put most of us to shame, made them a worthy winner of Highland Business of the Year.”

Helen Inkster said: “We are very proud to be recognised for our strong environmental credentials. Every aspect of the company’s operation is considered in terms of its likely impact on the planet – driven from a deep passion to run a sustainable operation: protecting the environment and encouraging sustainable practices for generations to come.

“Going on to win overall Highland Business of the Year was the icing on the cake. This is testament to – and recognition for – the hard work and dedication of the team that continue to provide the best possible service to the Orkney community and our visitors.”

Pentland Ferries delivers an affordable, sustainable transport solution with a very low environmental impact. For example, an efficient heat recovery system means that MV Pentalina is heated from the vessel’s engines. Both vessels, MV Alfred and MV Pentalina, were built to keep fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to the absolute minimum.

The café menu on the Pentland Firth route includes locally sourced ingredients to support the community and reduce food miles, while packaging is plant-based and fully compostable.

The company’s management team drive electric vehicles. And – highly innovative in terms of shore power – a wind turbine takes care of the vessel and onboard crew’s energy needs while berthed in St Margaret’s Hope.

A wall on MV Alfred illustrates the company’s trailblazing initiatives and the company website https://pentlandferries.co.uk/green/ and brochures share the company’s achievements, including the significant fuel and CO2 emission reductions mentioned above.

Waste reducing and recycling initiatives are embraced and promoted to passengers. For example, a water refill point on MV Alfred reduces single-use plastics and passengers are encouraged to buy recyclable aluminium cans rather than plastic bottles. Recycling stations are provided on both vessels.

Pentland Ferries welcomes and encourages energy-efficient onward travel on the Pentland Firth service, with bicycles carried free of charge, while an electric charging point is provided for passenger use at the Gills Bay terminal.

In terms of efficiency, promoting reusable and repurposing of materials and energy takes the community closer to a circular economy, while the low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions provide best value for both the pocket and the planet.

Pentland Ferries has announced that it is extending the self-funded Resident Discount Scheme (RDS), introduced at the end of last year, until the end of October 2024 (since updated to 31 May 2025).

The scheme, which makes ferry travel between St Margaret’s Hope and Gills Bay more affordable for Orkney islanders, has been hailed a great success, with many islanders already signed up for travel during the winter months.

Managing director of Pentland Ferries, Helen Inkster, said: “We are delighted that RDS has been so well received and we would like to thank all Orkney residents who have signed up and used the scheme this winter. I’m very pleased that we can now extend the initiative by continuing to discount travel this Easter, Summer, and throughout October.”

The self-funded Resident Discount Scheme reduces a single passenger journey from £20 to £12 and a car journey from £45 to £40, and has been made commercially possible thanks to the extension of the charter of the firm’s second vessel, MV Alfred, to Caledonian MacBrayne.

Additionally, the scheme complements the across-the-board passenger fare freeze which Pentland Ferries is operating until March 2025.

Helen Inkster continued: “As a local business, our community is very important to us, we will continue to do all we can to provide islanders with the best possible service at the most affordable price. The charter of the MV Alfred to CalMac has helped us to achieve that objective. We always strive to contribute to the local economy by employing local people and, where possible, sourcing local supplies and services.”

Resident Discount is available on sailings up to and including 31 October 2024 (since updated to 31 May 2025). Proof of residency can be made via a simple form on the Pentland Ferries website. A unique ID will be issued for use when booking by phone or online. Residents with existing bookings can also claim the discount by signing up to the scheme and contacting rds@pentlandferries.co.uk.

For further information and full terms and conditions, visit
https://pentlandferries.co.uk/rds/

https://pentlandferries.co.uk/rds-faqs/

Pentland Ferries are excited to announce the launch of their self-funded Resident Discount Scheme which will make ferry travel more affordable for Orkney islanders.

The family-owned and run business, which operates three return sailings per day with the MV Pentalina between St Margaret’s Hope and Gills Bay, will offer their exclusive discount to Orkney residents from Monday 4^th December.

“Our focus has always been on providing our community with safe, efficient, and effective ferry services,” said Helen Inkster, Managing Director of Pentland Ferries. “We recognise that island residents have higher living costs than many living elsewhere in Scotland, so we hope that this new initiative, which we are trialling over the winter months, will go some way towards redressing that balance.

“We are really proud to be launching the scheme today. If Orkney residents get behind it, as we believe they will, we hope that the discount can be offered beyond March next year.”

Today’s news comes on the back of Pentland Ferries recently announced across-the-board passenger fare freeze, which will last until the end of March 2025.

The Resident Discount Scheme will reduce a single passenger journey from £20 to £12 and a car journey from £45 to £40, and has been made possible thanks to the extension of the charter of the firm’s second vessel, MV Alfred, to Caledonian MacBrayne. It brings Pentland Ferries’ fares in line with the publicly-funded Islander Discount provided by Northlink Ferries.

Explaining the firm’s commitment to Orkney islanders, Helen Inkster added, “We employ around 90 staff, of whom over half live in Orkney, and we are deeply committed to our workforce, and to sustaining and supporting our local island community. This new self-funded discount scheme extends our commitment to all Orkney residents.”

Resident Discount will be available on sailings from Monday 4^th December. Proof of residency can be made via a simple form on the Pentland Ferries website. A unique ID will be issued for use when booking by phone or online. Residents with existing bookings can also claim the discount by signing up to the scheme and contacting rds@pentlandferries.co.uk.

For further information and full terms and conditions, visit:
https://pentlandferries.co.uk/rds/
https://pentlandferries.co.uk/rds-faqs/