We have a page especially for prayer intentions. Any prayer requests (if not marked 'private') will be read at our communities perpetual novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Succour.

Where is Papa Stronsay?

Map showing **Mainland Scotland** and the **Orkney Islands** with the land-sea connections.

Orkney all adrift by itself. The largest island is called **Mainland Orkney**.

**Papa Stronsay** (meaning: "Priests' Island of Stronsay") lies just off the island of Stronsay.

To get to Papa Stronsay is not complicated but it is clearer if we say that there are three steps: First it is necessary to to get to Kirkwall, Mainland Orkney. Second, to get from Mainland Orkney to the island of Stronsay. Finally, from Stronsay the monastery boat will take you to Papa Stronsay.

1. Travel to Kirkwall, Orkney.

Option 1: Flight.

There are flights to Kirkwall from Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh, the airline is Flybe https://www.flybe.com/ operating for British Airways.

Option 2: By sea from Aberdeen to Kirkwall.

The sailings are twice a week. The ship arrives into Kirkwall from Aberdeen about 11.00 p.m. so it is necessary to arrange for over night accommodation in Kirkwall either at a B&B or a hotel. The carrier is Northlink Ferries, http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/

Option 3: Land and sea travel.

From the Scottish mainland you can travel via Scrabster, John O'Groats or Gill's Bay. Ferries operate out of each of these ports. All include further overland travel to Kirkwall; buses connect from the ferries to Kirkwall.

Northlink Ferries take vehicles and passengers between Scrabster and Stromness.
Pentland Ferries take vehicles and passengers between Gills Bay and St Margaret's Hope.
John O'Groats Ferry takes passengers only between John O'Groats and Burwick. This service operates in summer only.

2. From Mainland Orkney to the island of Stronsay.

Air: There are usually two flights daily from Kirkwall airport to the Stronsay air strip. The service is operated by Logan Air (telephone: 01856 872494) and takes about 10 minutes.

The Island Hopper waits on the tarmac at Kirkwall airport before departing for the Northern Isles.

The Island Hopper takes off for the Northern Isles.

Sea: There are usually two services from Kirkwall to Stronsay daily. The ferry leaves from the Kirkwall pier. If it goes to Stronsay via the island of Eday it takes 2 hours; when it sails directly to Stronsay it takes 90 minutes. The service is operated by Orkney Ferries (Telephone 01856 872044); it is good to check the times of departure since they change with the different seasons of the year. All timetables can be found on their website.

The ferry for Stronsay waiting for loading at Kirkwall pier. The vehicles line up by the sign of their desired destination.

Foot passengers waiting to board for Stronsay.

3. From Stronsay to Papa Stronsay

Finally, from Stronsay the monastery boat will take you to Papa Stronsay.

In the Monastery boat crossing from Stronsay to Papa Stronsay. This is a short journey from Stronsay to Papa Stronsay; it takes about 5 minutes in the Monastery boat.