I was sorely tempted to ask for a new catty-gory, when blobbyqueen issued the challenge.
I had two, nay three, in mind.
The John o’Groats Ferry Company, Pentland Ferries, and Northlink.
All of whom (well the first two, anyway) deserve enormous credit for battling over the inhospitable waters of the Pentland Firth in all weathers and all seasons, to provide lifeline services to the Northern Isles.
But in fact, this opinion is far better dedicated to P&O, who last autumn lost the contract to provide ferry services from Scrabster (Caithness) to Stromness (Orkney).
Prior to this competitive tendering stuff, P&O’s St Ola crossed one of the roughest sea-passages in the world, pre-dated only by Viking Longships. She did so over generations. She carried essential provisions to Orkney, and returned with a hold full of organically reared cattle, famous Orkney cheese, and many crates of Highland Park. Not to mention, in season, tourists to-ing and flow-ing in droves.
And after a lifetime, P&O lost out last autumn to a more competitive bid.
A “new” company, Northlink Ferries, won the route.
That’s when the fun started.
They built a brand new ship, the “Hamnavoe”, specifically for the route. Then found the Scrabster harbour couldn’t accommodate it. So vast sums of money have been spent deepening and extending Scrabster harbour. And for the last six months, the Hamnavoe has been lying up in the docks at Rosyth. And paying huge charges for the privelege of being there.
Meanwhile, to fulfill their contractural obligations, Northlink Ferries has chartered a redundant Caledonian MacBrayne ferry – much smaller and less stable than the St Ola – to cross the Pentland Firth.
Much to the delight of competitors, Pentland Ferries, and the John o’Groats Ferry Company.
And to the delight of Aspen, who just loves Cal-mac, and the prospect of a cheap ticket if you have a sheep in your oxter.
P&O on the world stage have a few questions to answer, but here in the far north, P&O are to ferries what Hoover is to vacuum cleaners, and McAdam is to a decent road surface.
While contractors toil long overdue, and penalty clauses are invoked, and the Hamnavoe clocks up berthing charges at Rosyth, those of us who have crossed from Caithness to Orkney on a regular basis for many years don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I don’t know where the St Ola’s gone. Not for scrap, I hope.
I’d take her back tomorrow.
Because this is a challenge, I don’t feel obliged to conform, and give consumer-friendly info. Not that I ever did.
Want info? – visit www.northlinkferries.co.uk, or http://www.jogferry.co.uk , or www.pentlandferries.com
Best not visit the P&O website though. All it’s links to the north of Scotland have been deleted. A devoted researcher like myself cannot even glean historical information; only the bitter taste of sour grapes.
Form and orderly queue now, to cast your Fairly’s and Un’s.
For those of you whose fingers are less negative and itchy, here’s a wee quote.
“On a cold frosty January morning, I inched the old van along the Scrabster Pier to board the St Ola. The great bulk of the P&O ferry dwarfed the Scrabster jetty, alleviating only slightly the trepidation I felt about crossing the notorious Pentland Firth. A seafarer I certainly was not. I vaguely remember begging my mother to take the toy boats out of my bath because they made me queasy.
But surely this monstrous piece of maritime engineering would be so solid and stable I’d never know we’d left terra firma.
When the remains of my bacon roll flew off the table for the seventh time, I decided these excessive oscillations were not conducive to eating. I went up on deck and tried to focus on the horizon.
I have to admit that the pleasure of travelling on a any kind of ferry is one that I've never had - the Tay Road Bridge was opened 9 nine years before I turned up. Very interesting, sir.
Night_Rider 07.05.2003 12:02
I am due to take my first ever ferry trip next week so worried I may get a little sea-sick. I am going from Dover so no idea what to expect. Pete
battiest 06.05.2003 22:14
Brings back happy - and not-so-happy - memories of crossing the Irish Sea in my childhood. A unique op, as always. All the best - Catherine
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Advantages: Relaxing travel, good price, If you want a cruising taster a good option Disadvantages: Expensive onboard food, innacurate cabin, transfer bus confusion.
likka75 22.08.2008 (22.08.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of P&O Ferries
Advantages: Inexpensive, wide variety of things to do. Fun for the whole family Disadvantages: Not much time in Bilbao, not for those prone to motion sickness, small cabins
Gladallover 30.12.2007 (30.12.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of P&O Ferries
Advantages: relaxing and inexpensive way to visit the continent for a short break. comfortable cabins excellent food Disadvantages: crossing can be rough in winter months and lack of security is a bit worrying in the present climate
May 3rd, 2003
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