Orkney Ferries is a Scottish company operating inter-island ferry services in the Orkney Islands. The company operates ferry services across 15 islands. History The company is owned by the Orkney Islands Council and was established in 1960 as the Orkney Islands Shipping Company. In 1991, the Orkney Islands Shipping Company acquired a private sector ferry company also called Orkney Ferries, which had been established to compete on the short sea crossing from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney Islands, but which had not succeeded in establishing the route. This company's ferry was assimilated into the inter-island fleet, and in 1995 the Orkney Islands Shipping Company adopted the name Orkney Ferries. Despite this acquisition and change of name, the current Orkney Ferries does not operate services to and from the Scottish mainland, leaving this to other operators such as NorthLink Ferries and Pentland Ferries. Services Orkney Ferries operate between the Orkney mainland and fourteen of the smaller islands. Services include: The North Isles service, linking Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland to the northern isles of Eday, Sanday, Stronsay, Westray, Papay, and North Ronaldsay. The Shapinsay service, linking Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland to the northern island of Shapinsay. The Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre service, linking Tingwall on Orkney Mainland to the northern isles of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre. The South Isles service, linking Houton on the Orkney Mainland to the southern islands of Hoy, South Walls and Flotta. The Graemsay and North Hoy service, linking Stromness on Orkney Mainland to the southern islands of Hoy and Graemsay. The Westray to Papa Westray service, linking the islands of Westray and Papay. Fleet Orkney Ferries operates a fleet of inter-island vessels, most of which were specially built for service in the islands. The fleet includes: MVs and , both built by McTay Marine of Bromborough in 1990. These ferries carry 190 passengers and 25 cars, and are normally used on the North Isles service. , built by Cochrane Shipbuilders of Selby in 1988 for the earlier Orkney Ferries, and acquired with the company in 1991. This ferry carries 144 passengers and 32 cars, and is normally used on the North Isles service. , built by Yorkshire Drydock of Hull in 1989. This ferry carries 91 passengers and 11 cars, and is normally used on the Shapinsay service. , built by Campbeltown Shipyard of Campbeltown in 1991. This ferry carries 125 passengers and 16 cars, and