Ferry - MV Linga Journey time is 25 minutes. Passengers can remain in their cars if desired. There is a threshold of 120mm at the entrance to the passenger lift. A removable ramp is put in place by ferry crews when needed. The lift can be used to reach the passenger lounge (starboard side only) and toilet. Alternative access to the lounge is via 12 steps with handrails at each side. There are coloured nosings on steps but no tactile warning at top of steps. The lounge is comfortable and well lit and offers level access to the unisex accessible toilet. Tactile signs are fitted to toilet doors. The lounge has low windows which offer excellent views for seated passengers. Good colour contrast is used throughout and signage is clear. This vessel offers a good standard of access for disabled passengers. .
Alternative vessel is MV Fivla and is used when main ferries are undergoing maintenance. (Details of MV Fivla can be found on the general information page) Ferry - MV Hendra Journey time is 25 minutes. Passengers can remain in their cars if desired. There is a step then a 370mm threshold at the main entrance leading to the toilets and lounge. Male and female toilets are small with narrow doors (600mm wide) and have a 240mm threshold. Tactile signs are fitted to toilet doors. The lounge is down 14 steps. There is no passenger lift. Principal signs are clear but additional information on notices use small print. The seating in the lounge does not have arm rests. Facilities on this vessel are not suitable for wheelchair users or persons with serious mobility problems although passengers can choose to remain in their cars throughout the journey. Prospective passengers should note that the lack of accessible toilets on board combined with the lack of accessible toilets at the Symbister terminal may cause problems. Passengers who wish to access facilities during their journey should use the larger vessel (see under “MV Linga” above.) The booking office can advise passengers on which vessel is used for each departure. .
Alternative vessel is MV Fivla and is used when main ferries are undergoing maintenance. (Details of MV Fivla can be found on the general information page) Symbister Terminal There is no segregation of vehicles and pedestrians on the shore ramp. The waiting room is situated 68 metres from the ferry ramp and is up a steep slope. Cars can drive up the slope but the road is in poor condition. Alternatively, it can be reached via 9 steps which are cut into the hillside. There are another 2 steps at the entrance to the waiting room. Male and female toilets are up a further 4 steps and have small cubicles. The waiting room and toilet area is poorly lit. The waiting room not suitable for wheelchairs. The toilets are not suitable for ambulant disabled or for wheelchairs. Grab rails are fitted to all entrances which have steps. ..Laxo Terminal There is no segregation of vehicles and pedestrians on the shore ramp. The waiting room is situated 90 metres from the ramp which is reached via a car park and road. The car park has a tarmac surface and an average slope of approx. 12%. There is one step at the door to the waiting room which has bench seats without arm rests. A separate telephone booth is included within the building and is reached via a separate entrance with one step. There is level entrance to the female toilets and one step to the male toilets. Both have small cubicles with inward opening doors. The waiting room is not suitable for wheelchairs. The toilets are not suitable for wheelchairs. Grab rails are fitted to all entrances which have steps. Vidlin Terminal There is no segregation of vehicles and pedestrians on the shore ramp. The waiting room is situated 22 metres from the ramp. The area between the waiting room and the ferry is tarred and there is a raised pavement which surrounds the waiting room itself. This raised area has a dropped kerb but the lip of the kerb is between 60mm and 70mm high. (Recommended height is 25mm) There is alternative access to the raised area at the far side of the building (across the “keep clear” area) where the pavement is ramped to the car park but this is not signed. Once on the pavement a ramp leads to the waiting room door. The waiting room has bench seats without arm rests and a public telephone is situated within. The waiting room has level access to male and female toilets and also to a unisex accessible toilet. This modern facility is well heated even when very cold outside. Both waiting room and toilets are suitable for wheelchairs. The Vidlin Terminal is only used by the Whalsay ferries during certain weather conditions when the main terminal at Laxo is closed. Information relating to which terminal is in use is clearly displayed on electronic signs which are located at each terminal and at some roadside locations. This information is also available from ferry booking offices.
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