Stagecoach is to put on additional bus services in Orkney during this year’s St Magnus Festival which runs from 19 to 28 June.

It is hoped that this will help residents and visitors travel more easily to and from events taking place across Orkney during the internationally renowned arts celebration’s 50th anniversary year.

The festival, which runs from 19 to 27 June, features performances and events in Kirkwall, Stromness and St Margaret’s Hope, as well as venues including Hatston Auction Mart and Kirkwall Grammar School.

• Additional S1 services operating between Stromness, Kirkwall Travel Centre and St Margaret’s Hope, helping to increase capacity and provide later evening journeys following performances and events.
• A dedicated ST1 shuttle service will also operate directly between Kirkwall Travel Centre and Kirkwall Grammar School for selected performances.
• Additional shuttle links connecting festivalgoers with events at Hatston Auction Mart.

The additional services are designed to complement the existing network and provide more sustainable and accessible travel options during one of Orkney’s best-loved cultural events.

All journeys will be open to the public and eligible for concessionary travel, while fares will also be covered under the Scottish Government’s national £2 fare cap scheme.

David Beaton, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said:

“We’re proud to support the St Magnus Festival as it celebrates its 50th anniversary year. The festival is a hugely important cultural event for Orkney, bringing together communities, visitors and artists from across the world to celebrate music, theatre and the arts in these remarkable islands.

“These additional services will help people travel more easily between venues throughout the festival period, including later into the evening, while also supporting more sustainable journeys across the network.”

Final timetables and journey details for the additional festival services will be available ahead of the event at the Stagecoach website and app.