The 1-Minute Punctuality Guarantee
We respect your schedule. Our "Well Kent" collective operates on a strict punctuality standard. If your driver is not at the agreed pickup location within 1 minute of the scheduled time, your transfer fee is waived up to the first full hour of service. Your digital morning invoice will be updated to free for that hour. This applies to all airport, ferry, accommodation, and pre-booked transfers.
Upfront Hourly Pricing
We do not provide generic quotes or estimates that change depending on the weather or the passenger. We work strictly on a fixed hourly rate which is agreed in advance.
Standard Private Hire (1-4 Seats)
£70 per hour pro-rated based on true time.
The Rules
You pay for the time block you lock in. If you book two hours, the vehicle and native driver are yours for exactly two hours.
Extensions
Subject strictly to driver availability. If the driver has another booking immediately after yours, the service ends at the pre-agreed time. Any extra travel time on the road will be added to your digital invoice at our standard displayed rates.
The "Cruise-Free" Operational Rule
To maintain our 0% cancellation record for island residents and critical connections, we do not pick up from the cruise dock. For shore excursions, passengers must take the connection shuttle to the Kirkwall Travel Centre.
Why? This policy keeps our vehicles completely out of port congestion, ensuring we are on time for your run and remaining available for the rest of the island’s core infrastructure.
Booking & Deposits
Scheduling Care
All bookings are manually vetted by a human to ensure the timing is realistic for Orkney’s roads, weather, and ferry links.
Payment
Completely transparent billing with no hidden extras for luggage capacity or airport parking. Your digital invoice lands in your inbox on the morning of your travel—pay online securely via the link before leaving the vehicle or pay cash directly to your driver to clear the invoice manually.
The Late Guarantee
If we are late by more than 1 minute by our own fault, the trip is on us up to the first full hour of travel. Your morning digital invoice will simply be updated to free for that hour. No excuses, no arguments.
Summary Terms & Conditions
Orkney Private Hire & Transfers: Terms & Conditions
Our mission
We have listened to the constant complaints of unreliable, poor service from traditional taxi operators and chose to build something we are actually proud of. We prioritize local logistics over cruise ship revenue and provide a level of service that standard taxi operators simply wouldn’t dare to attempt.
As a local company, we believe in fair, transparent pricing and paying our team properly—with the long-term goal of building this into full-time careers.
Below is a quick summary of how we work. If you want to read the fine print, the full terms are available anytime.
How we work: the summary
Premium standards:
We operate far above standard taxis. Our team uses high-spec executive vehicles where possible, backed by full in-house safety vetting, PVG checks, and proper insurance. Because we charge properly, we can provide a proper service.
True-time pricing:
We do not calculate fares on a basic one-way drop-off. Fares are allocated on the true time of the run—estimated in the client’s favour—including connecting travel, admin, and waiting time within reason.
Hours & surcharges:
Standard hours are 09:00 to 19:00. Out-of-hours runs incur a surcharge starting at £20 to cover unsociable schedules (waived at our discretion).
Guaranteed fares & payment:
Fares are fixed and pre-arranged. Your invoice goes live on the day of the hire; you can either pay online via the emailed link before leaving the vehicle, or pay cash directly to the driver (which clears the digital invoice). Bookings over 2 hours may require a deposit. The electronic invoice system is not used for short-notice bookings made within 7 days.
Route vetting:
We do not auto-accept. Every enquiry is checked against island realities, ferry timetables, and driver availability. If a timeline is too tight, we will suggest a safer adjustment or decline the job to protect our reputation.
7-day cancellations:
Cancel completely free up to 7 days before your travel. Cancellations made within 7 days remain payable in full.
Winter weather:
If winter weather delays or cancels your flight or ferry, notify us immediately. We will try to reschedule around existing bookings, but extreme delays or cancellations remain payable.
1-minute guarantee & 10-minute window:
If we are late by 1 minute or more by our own fault, the fee is waived up to the first hour. Conversely, drivers operate on a strict 10-minute waiting window before departing to ensure fair service to the next client.
Cruise & capacity limits:
We do not enter cruise docks; all cruise transfers happen at the Kirkwall Travel Centre or your accommodation. Standard capacity is 1 to 4 passengers. Large groups (8 to 50 seats) or large luggage needs must be arranged in advance.