Sanday is one of the most northerly of the Orkney Islands, a ferry ride or a flight away from Kirkwall on the Orkney mainland.
Getting to Orkney
You can travel from other parts of the UK to Orkney by air, land, or sea.
By Air
You can fly with Loganair 
(01856 872494) to Kirkwall Airport from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness. Their services are operated by British Airways (08457 733377)
By Rail
You can travel by rail from all parts of the UK. First Scotrail (0845 6015929) provide the service in Scotland, the journey from Inverness to Thurso (for ferry connections to Orkney) taking around four hours. For booking see National Rail Enquiries (08457 48 49 50)
By Road
The final option is to drive or get a bus to the north coast of Scotland and take the short ferry trip to Orkney. Citylink (08705 505050) operate bus services between the major Scottish cities and towns and Thurso. In the summer The Orkney Bus (01955 611353) express service from Inverness to Kirkwall via the John O’Groats passenger ferry also operates.
By Sea
There are three departure point points from the north coast of Scotland to Orkney: John O’Groats (passenger only), Gill’s Bay and Scrabster (near Thurso):
John O’Groats Ferries ( 01955 611353) operates a passenger only service during the summer months and travels between John O’Groats and Burwick, South Ronaldsay.
Pentland Ferries (01856 831226) operates a passenger and car ferry service between Gill’s Bay on the mainland and St Margaret’s Hope in Orkney all year round.
Northlink (0845 6000449) passenger and car ferries operate two routes – one from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (which saves some driving miles) and the other from Scrabster to Stromness. These services operate all year round.
From Mainland Orkney to Sanday
By Air
Loganair (01856 872494) fly from Kirkwall to Sanday, the direct route taking about 11 minutes. A return flight costs around £65 (as at May 2008). There are usually two flights per day and they are well used by the islanders, so book early.
By Sea
Orkney Ferries (01856 872044) operate the service between Kirkwall and Sanday. The direct journey takes about an hour and a half; not all sailings come straight to Sanday. Passenger fares are about £13 return, and taking a car costs from £31.70 (as at May 2008).
Private flights
If you have your own private plane or helicopter you can land on the Sanday airfield, but you will need to notify the local council (01856 873535).
Travel within Sanday
Loth Ferry Terminal is sited about six miles from the population centres of Sanday. If you arrive by ferry on foot there is a minibus service, operated by Bernie Flett (look out for the red minibus parked at the end of the ferry ramp) which meets each boat. Please call to reserve a seat (01857 600284). Bernie also runs the local taxi service if you need collecting from the airfield.
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- Bernie and his bus
