Orkney - Kirkwall Depot

Frequently Asked Questions

• What and where is the Orkney – Kirkwall Depot, and why is it strategically located?

  The Orkney – Kirkwall Depot sits within Hatston Industrial Estate in Kirkwall, giving fast access to the town and nearby ports at Hatston and Kirkwall. That position makes it the natural hub for island freight – close to ferry links, well connected for local distribution, and tightly integrated with Streamline’s wider network across Scotland. See the location on the Orkney – Kirkwall Depot page, explore other depots via Our Network – Locations and learn how Orkney links with Shetland in our Orkney & Shetland – Island Hub.

• What services does the Orkney depot provide day to day?

  Kirkwall isn’t just a drop-off point; it’s a working logistics hub. We handle vessel calls and quayside operations through Ship Agency & Cargo Handling, keep households and businesses supplied via Parcels & Home Delivery and move palletised freight quickly with Pallets & Local Distribution. From single consignments to consolidated loads, the team coordinates the full journey.

• What facilities are available at the depot?

  The depot provides secure indoor warehousing, outside hardstanding, safe loading areas and space for cross-dock and consolidation – ideal for time-sensitive freight to and from the mainland. Those facilities slot neatly into our overnight and next-day radial services under Pallets & Local Distribution, with onward trunking through UK Transport & Haulage and export options via International Forwarding.

• Can I hire handling equipment in Orkney (forklifts, cranes, lifting gear)?

  Yes - Orkney can supply qualified teams with forklifts, mobile cranes and certified lifting equipment for routine and heavy-lift jobs. Because this sits within our integrated Ship Agency & Cargo Handling service, you get one accountable provider at the quayside and in the yard. If you need something specific, contact the team and we’ll advise on the safest, most efficient setup.

• Does the Kirkwall depot offer stevedoring and port services?

  Absolutely. We have longstanding partners/subcontractors we work with to deliver our stevedoring services. Our stevedoring crews have assisted Streamline for decades with quayside stevedoring and lifting services for safe, efficient vessel turnarounds, with operations managed by Streamline. Details of quayside capability sit within Ship Agency & Cargo Handling, and you can check local context on the Orkney – Kirkwall Depot page.

• Is there a daily trailer link between Orkney and the Scottish mainland?

  Yes – Kirkwall connects into Streamline’s national road network for reliable trunking to and from the mainland. Most island flows route through our Aberdeen hub, so you’ll often see consignments feeding into UK Transport & Haulage via the Aberdeen – Freight Terminal. For timings and service options, you can get a quote.

• Which areas does the Orkney depot serve?

  From Kirkwall we cover towns across Mainland Orkney (e.g. Stromness, Finstown, St Margaret’s Hope) and the outer isles via scheduled links – keeping communities supplied and businesses trading. Freight then connects to the mainland through our network of depots listed in Our Network – Locations, with frequent movements through the Aberdeen – Freight Terminal.

• What are the operating hours, and do you support out-of-hours work?

  Core hours are typically Monday–Friday, 08:30–17:00 (closed weekends), as shown on the Orkney – Kirkwall Depot page. Logistics can be unpredictable, so for late arrivals, urgent transfers or weekend projects, we can arrange cover – just reach out via Contact.

• How do I book movements or ask about a shipment?

  Use the central Contact page for the quickest route to the right person, or submit the Get a Quote form with your specifics (origin, destination, weights/dimensions, deadlines). If you need to check anything depot-specific, the Orkney – Kirkwall Depot page has useful local context.

• Why choose Streamline’s Orkney – Kirkwall Depot?

  Because you get a single, accountable partner from quayside to the last mile. Orkney combines island know-how with national reach – stevedoring and agency at the port, island-wide distribution via Pallets & Local Distribution, regular mainland links through UK Transport & Haulage and seamless connections to overseas markets via International Forwarding. It’s a dependable, end-to-end solution built around safety, reliability and clear communication.