Orkney Private Hire & Transfers: Terms & Conditions

A Long-Term Vision with Truly Reliable Standards

Traditional transit models often tend to rely on ad-hoc availability and unpredictable scheduling. We engineered a structured alternative designed for the complex realities of Orkney transport logistics, rooted in sustainable travel and reliable regional growth. By prioritizing core island infrastructure and local transit, we maintain absolute consistency for high-end Orkney tours, critical business travel, and custom transfer routes across the islands.

True sustainability is about supporting our workforce. We charge a sustainable hourly rate in order to pay our staff well in excess of the bare minimum. We choose to invest directly into our team to turn private hire work into stable, year-round logistics careers right here on the islands.

This is the operational framework that keeps our fleet moving smoothly year-round.

1. Accountability
As a remote island business, accountability is everything. We guarantee to never provide an excuse or a reason for poor service. When you rely on us, we deliver. At the same time, clear operational boundaries protect both parties. If a third-party event such as a delayed flight, cancelled ferry, road closure, or severe weather causes disruption to your schedule, we will help you adapt where fleet capacity allows, but we are explicitly not liable for any consequential losses or onward travel costs.

2. Fleet Standards
Every hire utilizes high-spec modern vehicles built to meet the highest emissions standards, backed by local safety vetting, PVG disclosure clearances, and specialized commercial insurance. Because we price for a sustainable business operation, we deliver an elite service. As a dedicated logistics agency, everyone delivering transport services has been hand-picked, personally vetted, and insurance-verified to handle our standard of working practice.

3. Dedicated Calendar Slots & True Operational Time
We do not have metered fares, and we do not bargain over mileage. When you secure a booking, you are purchasing a dedicated time slot in our calendar. Your fare is calculated on the true operational time required to fulfil the service, which includes the vehicle's positioning run, preparation, and active waiting time within the scheduled window, usually estimated in the client’s favour.

Short Runs: All Orkney transfers and point-to-point runs are subject to a strict 30-minute operational minimum of (£35). If the physical drive only takes 10 minutes, the 30-minute calendar slot baseline still applies.

Route Allocations: Longer routes (such as cutting across from Stromness to Kirkwall) are billed based on the full operational hours reserved in our calendar to secure the vehicle for your specific window, regardless of whether actual wheels-in-motion transit time is shorter.

4. Standard Hours & Out-of-Hours Vetting
Our standard service window operates from 09:00 (9am) to 19:00 (7pm). Bookings operating outside these standard hours, such as late-night ferry arrivals or early morning Kirkwall airport transfers, depend entirely on driver availability and fleet capacity. Any confirmed out-of-hours run carries a surcharge starting at £20 to support unsociable schedules, which will be explicitly detailed at the enquiry stage and highlighted on your invoice.

5. Route Verification & Vetting
We do not auto-accept bookings. Every enquiry is checked against island geography, shifting ferry timetables, and driver availability. If an itinerary threatens a critical ferry or flight connection due to unrealistic timing, we will actively suggest a safer adjustment or decline the booking to preserve fleet integrity and your experience.

6. Secured Commitments & Payments
Fares are fixed, pre-arranged, and handled strictly via electronic invoice. Your digital invoice goes live the morning of the hire. You must clear it online using the secure emailed link before leaving the vehicle or via the hotel Wi-Fi. Cash is not accepted for the initial hire. The price you see is the price you pay. No hidden extras unless the ground rules change. Any unscheduled route deviations, extra passenger pickups, or additional drop-offs automatically constitute a change in scope and must be agreed by the driver. Driver-agreed extensions or real-time changes on the road must be settled directly with the driver and may be applicable for cash settlement by exception.

Bookings exceeding 2 hours in duration require a deposit, and the electronic invoicing system is reserved for bookings secured more than 7 days in advance.

7. The 7-Day Cancellation Window
Plans change, and we offer complete flexibility up to 7 days before you travel. Cancellations made within 7 days of the scheduled travel date remain payable in full to protect our drivers schedules and keep our service level higher than the traditional taxi service.

8. Weather Protocol
If winter weather disruptions delay your flight or ferry, notify us immediately. We will attempt to re-route around existing commitments where fleet availability allows, though extreme cancellations or missed links remain subject to the limitations outlined in our accountability framework.

9. The Punctuality Guarantees
Our Guarantee: If we are late by 1 minute or more by our own absolute fault (excluding third-party infrastructure failures, maritime delays, or force majeure weather events), the transfer fee is completely waived up to the first hour of travel. Your digital invoice will simply be updated to free for that hour. With no excuses.

The Client Window: Conversely, vehicles operate on a strict 10-minute waiting window at the pickup point before departing, regardless of the active waiting time provisions built into the route slot. This ensures the next critical connection on the Orkney transit grid stays on schedule. If you are unsure of an exact start time, just reach out beforehand.

10. Cruise & Capacity Boundaries
To avoid port gridlock, all cruise-related transfers and island tours start at the Kirkwall Travel Centre or your accommodation to keep our assets moving and standards intact. Standard vehicle capacity matches 1 to 4 passengers. Large groups (8 to 50 seats) or specialized luggage requirements for bespoke Orkney tours must be arranged and cleared in advance.

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with our services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Scots Law. The Scottish Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim.