Stormy sailing on the Northlink! Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland ferry

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Aberdeen to Lerwick can be one of the stormiest ferry crossings anywhere in the world - I certainly felt the full force of the sea on this night. Not one to normally feel sea sick, I was in for a rough sailing, but how was it?
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Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on KZbin. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do my best to respond to every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
#SteveMarsh

[@steve-marsh]

Have you been on any scary journeys? What would be your worst type of journey and why?

[@SulphurS16]

This ferry, it can be brutal

[@Sjoerdwm1981]

lived for 18 years at the seas...these sounds/shakes...just a memory of what once was my home..

[@gregwarner3753]

Motorboating on the Mekong River in '66 and '67. Also a short cruise on a US Navy Destroyer Escort, equivilant of RN Corvette, off Nova Scotia, Canada, in February. A storm went through. That was rough.

[@annehislop2449]

1985 14 hrs Hamburg to Harwich in a force 9 gale. All I remember is the pattern on the green carpet.

[@heathcliffearnshaw1403]

Birmingham New Street to Усолье-Сибирское via Reading - London Waterloo - Brussels Midi - Berlin - Minsk . But with a large trunk and two enormous bags. Lost trunk at Brussels and got it back at Berlin. The Germans thought the large old fashioned computer inside was a bomb! Nov 2004.

[@JohnBain1st]

I was a young deckhand on the Orkney /Shetland ferry in the 1960's. Quite a small ship. We carried passengers and livestock and other cargoes. Nothing to stabilise the ship in those days. Yes, definitely one of, if not the, stormiest sea I have sailed. Never suffered from sea sickness but I seem to remember getting quite anxious in the thick fogs in those areas. Memory fails me but the ship was called either St Ninian or St Magnus. Enjoyed watching this and brought back happy memories. Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Glad to bring back some memories! I hope the livestock had their sea legs on and didn’t get too stressed :) despite the fog and high seas, that sounds like a cracking job - and you’d have been sailing past Fair Isle as well! Every time I see the lighthouse lights off in the distance there it makes me want to visit even more. Soon hopefully! Cheers for getting in touch, love to hear stuff like this :)

[@isaacduncan2239]

This is nice to see Shetland getting some recognition.... lived in Shetland my whole life

[@steve-marsh]

You are very lucky! I’m planning to make a film there when I have more time to travel, and would love to visit Foula and Fairisle as well :)

[@isaacduncan2239]

@@steve-marsh Great! I’ve actually never been to Foula but when I am out in my boat I can see it clearly 😃😃

[@steve-marsh]

@@isaacduncan2239 I think I need a ride in your boat!!!

[@isaacduncan2239]

@@steve-marsh Haha 😃😂 We might be able to set something up in the future!!

[@IAmWithinEverything]

I’ll need a place to stay when I visit next year for my birthday in September. Any info welcome❤

[@adamwebb8367]

I like watching these videos about places and trips I’ll probably never make. I’m seeing things I’ll never see myself especially in these crazy times. Great work mate

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Adam! Really appreciate it!

[@johnledingham852]

That was exciting to view, here in my utility room on my laptop. As a seventy five years young son of a Scotsman, I'd dearly love to do that ferry crossing to Lerwick, and experience the Shetlands. Dad was born in Dundee, his dad in Peterhead. They migrated to Australia's east coast where dad married a local lass, and brought me and my sister into the world. She and I, and our spouses, have made a pilgrimage to Dundee. Seen dad's old school in Invergowrie, and Aberdeen. Would love to board that ferry and see the islands to the north. Who knows...one of these days if the hens keep laying!

[@steve-marsh]

All the best John! I'm hoping to repeat this trip soon as well, so hopefully will bring you more of it this year!

[@bettyrobb8219]

Hope you make the trip by Ferry. I would love be back ‘ Hame’ in Aberdeen! I am 91 yrs old, still watch videos of Aberdeen when I can. My Dad was from Dundee, my Ma from Aberdeen.👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦🙋‍♀️

[@drayboydog]

I did that trip some 30 years ago for work. Very similar weather but on a ferry that was nowhere near so luxurious. Still a week in the Shetland Islands more than made up for it, even though most of the time was working. Memories that will last a lifetime, beautiful place, beautiful people.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Phil, I feel the same about Shetland - a special place! Cheers for watching!

[@hedinchristiansen6134]

I work on the ferry from Denmark to Iceland, so 12 hours of rough weather is a luxury. Try doing this for 4 weeks straight lol. Nice to see how the interior looks on another ferry. Cool video. Thumbs up.

[@steve-marsh]

hedin christiansen Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment! But no, 4 weeks would kill me 🤣

[@pearce3725]

You’re on the Smyril Line? I’ve done that five times. That’s enough for me. That’s an absolute hell of a trip.

[@northernmasonry4583]

Is it still running?

[@northernmasonry4583]

Is it still running

[@hedinchristiansen6134]

@@northernmasonry4583 Yes we are: going for refurbishments at xmas, back in route early March.

[@merryannmac8096]

This is my kind of fun. Thanks, Steve

[@steve-marsh]

Haha thanks! Hope to be back on the Northlink soon!

[@suzanneharkin6956]

Love your laid back attitude and your calmness🙏

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks you :)

[@Pilot-ud3yj]

I travelled this route in 2004 to install the disabled lift in the Toll Clock Shopping Centre. The crossing was just as bad as this. We travelled back up a few years ago to show my wife the islands I fell in love with but we flew this time. Good news is that the lift still works and my wife fell in love with Shetland too. We are moving up there soon!!!

[@steve-marsh]

Wow you are so lucky! Absolutely love it there too and it would be a dream to move there. I need to get back and try that lift :) cheers for watching!

[@scottie2636]

You and your wife are very lucky to be moving to Shetland. I have never been, even though I spent my childhood in Scotland. Steve's videos are what my dreams are about. Visiting the most beautiful and serene places in the world. I continue to watch Steve's videos so that I don't get homesick. Cheers from Massachusets, USA.

[@freedomforever6718]

I'm lucky. I don't get seasick. For me the rougher the seas the greater the thrill. Something about standing face to face with mother nature heightens the feeling of being alive.

[@dpw76]

This video has just popped up again Steve.. its the 1st video of yours i ever watched, whilst researching this ferry trip. A few years later, we're still enjoying your channel, many thanks

[@steve-marsh]

Hey thanks so much for sticking with me! Oh I'd cringe watching the old ones, but all part of the learning curve I guess!

[@reginacurlee5236]

I am absolutely in love with anything Scottish , Welsh or Irish. I found your channel by complete accident and boy and I glad I did!!! Thank you so much for this video. It showed parts I may never see. From North Carolina in the USA~ Your newest Subber!!! ;-)

[@steve-marsh]

Regina Curlee Awww thanks so much for your support and for the lovely comment :) this motivates me to keep going :) I’ll need to do some more content from this part of the world for you! Planning a trip to Isle of Skye soon, now I’ll take the camera too 😊 I adore your part of the world too by the way 🇺🇸

[@reginacurlee5236]

@@steve-marsh Yes PLEASE do! That is a bucket list trip as well! Keep up the great work!

[@steve-marsh]

Regina Curlee Thanks so much :)

[@mariacornwallis1602]

And what's wrong with anything English?

[@patricktinsmith8533]

Hello from Wales. 👍👍

[@valentinm0]

This is absolutely amazing! Being born in Romania I didn't really get to experience a lot of ferry trips, except for a few in Greece and Indonesia on my travels. Watching your videos makes me want to come for a ferry exploration trip to the UK!

[@libbyannstew8775]

Yikes what a crossing that was! Glad you made it safely. The ferry is spotlessly clean - very impressive!

[@juanbascunanmorera3733]

Hello!!! I was in Shetland twice, 2010 and 2011. The first time flew from Madrid to Aberdeen and take the Ferry also like you. That was in may. Watching your video remember again the sensations of this trip with my father. Before to go on board we had time to know Crathes castle and have some fun time at Codonas Park nearly to the harbour. Thanks for make me smile. Well done Steve.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much - it’s always great to jog some memories of a previous trip! Much appreciated!

[@jenkins9981]

I miss the mainland! I love living in Shetland, lived here all my life, but when you're able to get off it's amazing! I don't think I could ever move off Shetland though, it still amazes me to this day! Thank you for the amazing video!

[@steve-marsh]

Mrs. Jenkins awww thanks so much! Yeah, I imagine it must be nice to get to the mainland occasionally, but Shetland will always pull you back 😊

[@jenkins9981]

@@steve-marsh Yes for sure! I love tourists who come here as I have ai many stories to share about shetland, from hauntings, mysterious deaths and even a sea monster! All from my dad and grandads experiences, some from my own too! I've subscribed to your channel! I loved some of your videos!

[@steve-marsh]

Mrs. Jenkins thanks so much!!! I’ll try get more Shetland content on this year :) You should write a book! Sounds like some of these haven’t been documented and it’s be super-interesting! Thanks again for the sub!

[@jenkins9981]

@@steve-marsh oh yes I would love to write a book!! I would love so many people to know! That would be amazing! If you come here again there are so many beautiful places to go to! I can't wait to see more content and thank you for making this wondering video!! 😊

[@rca6576]

@@jenkins9981 Well, it's always been my dream to come there so maybe one day you'll share those stories with me. Go away Covid!

[@alastairedwards9388]

12 hours of thumping through the North Sea - nothing better. Love it!

[@steve-marsh]

I wish it had been daylight to watch those crazy high seas! :)

[@SSEnrich]

As a Norwegian it would be interesting to visit Shetland. We gave names to some of the places there. The flag of Orkney looks quite much like ours. There must be a bit of common culture. However. It is not ao easy to get to neither Shetland nor Scotland. I hope I can visit one day within the next 10 years. Seems like quite an exciting destination, bot Edinburgh and Shetland.

[@steve-marsh]

SSEnrich oh yes - I’ve seen some of the names, and it’s so different from mainland Scotland in a very cool way! Would love to see more if Norway, I’ve been to a Tromsø and have a trip to Svalbard booked for June, but who knows if that one will go ahead 🤷🏼‍♂️ thanks for watching!!!

[@Trollberg60north]

Hei, du kan fly fra Flesland til Sumburgh hver sommer med Loganair. Jeg har vært over den stor sund med sommerlenken 5-6 ganger. Det er ikke noe fastland i Skottland, vi tilhører Norge.

[@hungarorail]

Yep, Shetland used to be a part of Norway, apparently my so much great grandfathers invnaded it and called it part of Scotland, and that’s why most Shetlandic people support Norway, or other nordic countries for example in the world cup, if Scotland never make it!

[@barry5580]

​@@hungarorail SCOTLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Be making it for while now... Best team we've had a in many a moon 🌙😊

[@janinehiggins1507]

Loved the video and an area I would like to visit . Ferries look ok and really good information .thank you 👍🇬🇧☮️

[@StormiiSeaz]

I absolutely love going on the Northlink Ferry, there's always a treasure hunt all over the boat for the kids, the food is absolutely delicious and it's so spacious! There's so many places to go, there's the balcony over the water, the gift shop, there's an arcade (not sure if it's still open, I've not gone in a while) and there's even a cinema which is really cool. It's honestly amazing and I really recommend!

[@steve-marsh]

Totally agree with all of that! I remember the first time I went onboard I was surprised how awesome it was, and yes love the food! The wee cinema is fun as well, sometimes I'll buy a ticket even if I have no interest in the movie :)

[@rnf1227]

Brings back my Royal Navy memories. Out of Rosyth and up to Shetland for two weeks fishery protection in the stormy winter months of the early 70's.. After discovering this little gem I might take this same journey before I get too old and, of course, if the covidlergy allows.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers for watching, hope you get over there! Sounds like a fun career!

[@bobjackson4720]

After leaving UK in the 70's I'm impressed how much the place has upgraded. The ferries and the port facilities are quite impressive, but I see the weather hasn't changed much. I see Aberdeen has a big wheel, it must be pretty chilly riding that.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha I’m not brave enough to go on that wheel! Yeah, I think there are a lot of subsidies involved, so the investment is big. A real pleasure in any weather :) thanks so much for watching!

[@annother3350]

No sign of that global warming yet

[@RagingCanuck]

My best friend’s father was an instrumentation officer with the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII. He was part of the large Canadian contingent stationed in Shetland (my father served under the British flag). He was working on a plane with his partner when a bomb was dropped on them, blowing him clear, but killing his friend. He went on after the war to be a successful businessman, but, in his very old age, returned to Shetland in his dementia and relived his war experiences. My husband and I visited Shetland and found the beauiful memorial erected to the Canadian service personnel who helped save the island and played such a large part in the defeat of Hitler. The island is beautiful, the people wonderful (I bought my husband a lovely, hand-turned chanter in the music store in Lerwick), the ponies adorable, but the countryside offers little shelter. It is impossible to fathom how our troops managed to persevere under the relentless onslaught of bombs that rained down on them in those barren and unforgiving peat fields. I paid homage to them and thanked them in my heart for their service. 🇨🇦

[@rext8949]

Once seasick you can never forget that feeling ever ; the memory surges back everytime the wind gets up. I always thought that big ships were immune to motion sickness. All that creaking and knocking may have made for an atmospheric crossing but I'm sure my hair would never settle down. I would have loved to see the journey in the day for what it's worth. Good ship and thanks for the trip.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks for watching :) yeah, a calm crossing n daylight is definitely on the list. Sea sickness is a feeling I’ll be happy never to encounter again!

[@IAmWithinEverything]

Buy and wear the Reliefband. It works❤

[@mikeh2006]

This video really brings back the feeling of being on an overnight crossing. Luckily I didn't get sick but the creaking and crashing sounds brought it all back. Only thing missing on this video is the people laying in the corridors with their hands over their faces next to puddles of sick.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha what a sight that would be! :) thanks for watching :)

[@beagle7622]

My god not going near that.Fish & Chips. Rick Steins the English Cook says the Chips is a culinary masterpiece or something similar . If it is cooked properly. You were game eating that . I would have looked at the weather & just not gone near food . In fact I wouldn’t have got on that ferry that night.

[@maryavatar]

We left Orkney by ferry after my brother’s hamefaring, and it was also my son’s 18th birthday. There’s a video of me going “That’s Alex, he’s not normally that colour.” I’ve never seen someone that green in the face.

[@emilyrobbins3238]

@@maryavatar : I recall a Thurso > Stromness ferry in March a few years ago that was like that: portholes on one side showed only sky, on the other side only water. What a long journey that was.

[@churchviewwishart8873]

@@emilyrobbins3238 oh dear that sounds awful …. But stil your wry comment makes me laugh 😂 🤣😂

[@gazzab837]

I Try and avoid sea travel whenever possible, but I’m strangely fascinated by videos of other people’s trips on KZbin ! I had a very rough 10 hour St Malo - Portsmouth ferry trip in the late 70’s where, like you, I felt sick throughout but wasn’t, so know how you felt 🤢. Anyway, Great, informative video, thanks for posting,.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Gazza! One bad crossing can put you off for life!

[@douglasfraser2089]

Wonderful to have fun traveling alone. Gorgeous

[@johndublyoo8675]

Thanks for posting this Steve, I used to do this journey in the early 70's when I was in the armed forces stationed on Unst working on search radar. Newcastle to Aberdeen, overnight on the MV St Clair to Lerwick then overland by coach and ferries through the islands to the base at Haroldswick. Happy days and great memories of a time that holds a special place in my heart.

[@steve-marsh]

John Dublyoo amazing! Some journey all the way to Unst!!! I almost ran out of petrol there and was glad fo find a gas station at Baltasound! My favourite island :) thank you for watching and glad it brought back some memories!

[@johndublyoo8675]

@@steve-marsh Do yourself a big favour Steve, go back to Unst and spend at least a week there. The old RAF base has accommodation and a museum dedicated to work of the armed forces and the rest of the island is a rich history of life in Shetland.

[@steve-marsh]

John Dublyoo that would be a dream and I fully intend to follow your order Sir!

[@johndublyoo8675]

@@steve-marsh Good man 👍

[@martinschwartz2512]

Fascinating to watch, and you definitely got across the feelings you had quite well. I watched this before supper; not sure that was such a good idea. :) Thanks for taking us along!

[@steve-marsh]

Martin Schwartz haha thanks for coming along for the journey! More to come throughout the year (I hope 😧)

[@carlthehipsterprepper4506]

I sailed on a cable ship in that area for two years in the early 2000s. The seas are brutal there at time of year you sailed.

[@sanyasethi5486]

We stay in Aberdeen as well and are planning to take the same trip to Shetland ! Super excited after watching your video !

[@forhisglory7720]

Excellent video! I'm probably going to have to binge watch a bunch more. Thanks for such a good tour :)

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much! :)

[@ratmanbug]

Nicely edited video, Steve. You make them quite entertaining, as well as informative. As someone else said, it's good to see the trips that I am unlikely to make!

[@DurhamGooner]

I retired from cruise ships two years ago, that rough sea footage brought back a lot of memories!!!

[@seamusblack5876]

Always had a facination with Ferrys from childhood when we went to Scotland as a Family in an amazing storm (i loved it even at 7) Keep up the good work

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much! You never forget a stormy crossing :)

[@MrAlexzilla1993]

Last time I went to shetland I had an experience very similar to that on the way back to the mainland. I felt so sea sick. I had a sick bag beside me all night. Was glad to get off that boat. By the way I've seen two of your videos and both where great. This one and the £18 amazing ferry ride

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much, welcome aboard! :)

[@oat138]

That's beautiful. makes me want to go there just to see it.

[@moodybunns3813]

I love Shetland! I have been living here for nearly a year now and it’s a great place to visit!! I’ve had this on my holiday bucket list for as long as I can remember. But now I’m living in my dream!!!!

[@steve-marsh]

I am soooooo jealous!!!!!

[@scottie2636]

I'm green with envy. Cheers to you.

[@Tirana44]

I enjoyed every minute of your video. Sorry you had the sea sickness though. Will definitely watch more of them. Cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for watching one of the older ones :)

[@audreyrockach2782]

I thought I was the only person who has an accent do Shetland trips untill I found this it made me happy and excited that other people understand me and I can't believe it but I was ON THAT FERRY with him wow this has made my year thanks for making me feel less ashamed of going to Shetland I feel way more happy as a person you might think this is a bit axsessive but I really makes me happier

[@steve-marsh]

I'm so glad Audrey! Thanks so much!

[@PostcardAndAPint]

Loved this Steve. I used to work on the ships and have many a rough sea memory. The worst was probably a force 9 from Southampton all the way to the Azores, don’t think I slept for 4 days!! It didn’t half get bumpy there!! Glad you made it! Thanks for sharing 🍻

[@mrcrabass3669]

We were brought up on fish and chips.that looked a good portion ,enjoy, nice video, thank you

[@steve-marsh]

Surprisingly nice for on a ferry! Thanks for watching :)

[@fionapeterson3663]

This is my favorite trip!

[@jameskruse537]

Hi Steve, Just rewatched this video. Due to Covid and winter cabin fever this trip looks very good. I’m giving serious thought to following your lead. As usual, before I actually do this, Bertha will get the car keys. Cheers, Jim

[@steve-marsh]

Ha cheers Jim! I'm desperate to get back to the Islands, maybe see you onboard!

[@o2uk.]

I’d like to call myself a bit of an aficionado when it comes to trip reports and I can happily say this is easily a 10 out of 10 great editing not too much music and very in-depth Cheers!

[@o2uk.]

You have earned a new subscriber :-)

[@steve-marsh]

be m Thanks so so much for the feedback and I’ll try my best to keep my videos that way :) More to come soon :)

[@julianjturner]

That music is abhorrent. Every single nanosecond of it is too much.

[@adelarsen9776]

Seems like the service, great food and friendly people made up for the rough crossing. I'm hungry.

[@jorgewilliams6041]

Ill be making this trip in a few weeks so Thank-you for the heads up.

[@jonsmith8582]

There's nothing like a relaxing sea voyage, and that was NOTHING like a relaxing sea voyage !

[@steve-marsh]

Haha cheers Jon! 🤣

[@pal7252]

JIMMY PEREZ!!! Love that show. From San Antonio Texas USA.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha me too! love it and so cool to see the house :)

[@rachelbuchan5407]

Did this trip in December last year with two of my daughters and a 4 day old baby. The boat set off early to try to stay within a "weather window" - trying to get to Lerwick before the storm that was behind us, and not catch up with the one which had gone ahead of us. It was rough, but not horrendous. I stayed on the back deck most of the night (chilly!!) because our inside cabin felt really claustrophobic. Got into Lerwick at 4am, and the storm hit at 5am, so we just made it.

[@steve-marsh]

Rachel Buchan wow! Well done - chasing a storm, too cool! :) thanks so much for watching and recalling your northlink experience:)

[@lindanorris2455]

I was on a Ferry trip from Harwhich to Nantucket Island (Massachusetts( and we encountered very rough, high seas. It was just glorious! A trip of a lifetime! Whoo wee!

[@steve-marsh]

Linda Norris Oh I’d love to go there and MV! So jealous!!!!

[@flemwad]

at 10.30 when you said...'this is getting a bit challenging now..' I burst out laughing..I see the ferry coming and going all the time from my window and always wondered how it was inside etc..great video thanks for posting

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers for watching! Oh, that was a tough night, but not so bad looking back on it now :)

[@docjeano734]

Loved your video. We did the Aberdeen to Lerwick ferry in both 2018 and 2019 and were planning to go to Orkney this May until the pandemic! Your video brings back great memories but our trips were more gentle, thankfully.

[@steve-marsh]

Doc JeanO Thanks so much for watching and so glad to bring back some memories to fill the void of all our travels :) hope you get to Orkney soon! :)

[@devally2432]

Very informative, thanks for posting.

[@steve-marsh]

Dave Devally cheers Dave! 👍🏼

[@estiefranks6468]

I like your videos. And the final shot of Jimmy Perez’s house was great. 😊

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Loved the video. Nicely shot and with plenty of drama. We got to experience what most of us would dread and we didn’t feel sick 👍. Well done for filming what you could even though you felt blooming awful. It made a cracking story.

[@steve-marsh]

Life is too short That’s such a kind message, thank you! And thanks for watching my videos, much appreciated and gives me the motivation to keep the camera rolling :)

[@ChronicVision1955]

That was awesome. Very well kept. I'd take it just because it looks so clean. Hard to find these days in the US.

[@steve-marsh]

True, a very well kept ferry :)

[@Yurilogrus]

I've ben many times on that ferry, in stormy weather too... a good memory

[@steve-marsh]

Yurlog Explorer ahhh thanks so much for watching!!! 👍🏼

[@SharonFoulston]

Is it safe?

[@skorrie3849]

@@SharonFoulston Very, Health and Saftey are world class in the UK.

[@rustytail6241]

My family go to Shetland quite a lot so that boat is very nostalgic for me

[@limerick5931]

Great videos Steve. I really enjoy them.

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you like them! Thanks so much for the support! :)

[@MrJckDoo]

@SteveMarsh I was coming home from Barcelona after the 1982 from the Olympics, driving a coach. When we left Fisguard (after driving from Dover) we went into a vicious storm, I was down in my cabin after getting my meal in the drivers lounge. The banging was so bad I had to leave the cabin and go back up to the restaurant area, not a person to be seen?? I had a cup of tea and went over to one of the couches and fell asleep. We were supposed to dock at 6:30am 3 1/4hrs sailing. but I woke at 11am. Ship was down at Dunmore east sheltering. We did no get into Rosslare until 3pm.

[@cybergal99]

That's my cousin's daughter-in-law on the weather there! This certainly looks like an adventure .. I REALLY want to go to Up Helly AA at some point .. Thanks for showing us the whole trip!

[@steve-marsh]

Ann McDermott haha that’s awesome! Small world!

[@ritawhitton855]

SteveMarsh 7

[@paullarcher4300]

The reference to Las Vegas carpets made me laugh!

[@maryavatar]

Yeah, those things are not good when you’re already queasy and dizzy from the boat rolling about. I know they make them all the colours so the vomit stains aren’t noticeable, but I think they actually make you sicker - after a while, it’s like the pattern is wriggling around. Although that could be the vomit-induced dehydration making things loopy.

[@i10gal]

Came across this video as we had been watching videos on You Tube re ships and planes and got this video as a recommendation! So glad we did and found your channel. Brilliant videos, quality filming and great to get an inside look this ship and the fabulous journey from Aberdeen to Lerwick. Now working our way through the rest of your fabulous videos so thanks very much for sharing.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for the support Wendy! Very much appreciated!

[@johncatto5019]

Ah brings back happy memories, thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

So welcome John!

[@donseclad]

First time on your channel Steve and I love it. Very nice ship. Very well laid out and has a good arrangement of facilities

[@steve-marsh]

Welcome aboard! Glad you like it! Yeah, that was a fun adventure but need to go back and repeat on a calmer summer day!

[@barrycooper3045]

It is not always that rough. Just returned from Lerwick and I have seen larger waves on a mill pond than we encountered

[@chrisross1703]

Enjoyed this a lot, impressive ships! Then it was spoiled when I saw the dreaded 'Serco' 😝

[@mikebryan7060]

Brilliant video. I love your ferry reviews. Wow your fish and chips looked delicious 😋

[@hussypunter1975]

Done this crossing many many times Came back last Thursday I’m part of the reason all the islands have great EE signal also I absolutely love the rough crossings love the shetlands great video mate. 👍🏼

[@steve-marsh]

Chris Overton you must be a hero up there! :) cheers for watching :)

[@SharonFoulston]

So the rough crossings are ok then? No worries on safety?

[@Mac-9308]

Nice video. I was on that ship in October during a Force 7 Gale. I too felt a bit sick, but it could of been a lot worse. The upper deck is closed to passengers when there are strong winds, or the crew have gone to bed. They closed it at around 21:00 when I was onboard.

[@steve-marsh]

R MacNeil I don’t know I could handle a force 7!!!! Scary stuff, out there in the dark sea!

[@johnbrown3951]

I know exactly how you felt I spent a night on the St Clair from Lerwick to Aberdeen was eating my evening meal in the top deck restaurant and a fishing boat passed above us well above us. Time to bed down and start praying. Memories came flooding back. Thanks!!!!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha what an experience eh? Happy it’s just a fun memory now though! Cheers

[@bigeyejim]

JIMMY PEREZ'S HOOSE!!! YES, OMG I LOVE THAT!! I'm all caps excited obviously!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha I need to go back and make a proper video there :)

[@flashers.5212]

I really enjoyed this download, loved it, I usually go up to Scotland twice a year, normally making Ullapool or Aultbea my base for the week, or maybe two weeks if I’m lucky. I’ve a lovely wife who enjoys the occasionally trip up to the North west of Scotland, but once a year or maybe once every 18 months is enough for her, she isn’t quite as keen as I am & it’s a long drive up from Portsmouth, even allowing two days for the trip & a stop over at the lovely atmospheric Balmoral hotel in the beautiful Market town of Moffat. (Moffat & the Scottish Borders are worth a holiday in themselves, with beautiful walks through the countryside, it’s a bit like the Lake District but without the crowds of people, May, June & September are my favourite months.) Anyway, I’m waffling on, there’s no fool like an old fool. Alas there’s been no trip to Scotland this year due to this curse on us all, but lovely clips like this short film recorded on Steve’s phone help me to weather the storm & to holiday vicariously & even give me new ideas, I’ve always wanted to go to Lerwick & the Shetlands! I can just imagine my wife’s response when I mention that idea to her...”but we could have a week in Tenerife for less than half the price!”🙄

[@steve-marsh]

Haha I’ve muttered these words in the past too, and sadly it’s often true! (And let’s be honest, Tenerife is a wonderful island 😂) really need to get down to the Borders more - I haven’t spent enough time there! I have great memories from Portsmouth though from when I was a kid in the Sea Cadets! Another part of the world long overdue another visit! Take care and best wishes to you and your wife

[@scottie2636]

Aye, but you'd never get the scenery that you would in the Shetlands. I wish I could make the trip. Cheers from the USA.

[@karenmcjam]

Ooft! This brought back memories of winter sailings on the previous generations of Shetland ferries. Nice Vlog. Enjoyed it 👍

[@steve-marsh]

karenmcjam thanks very much for watching :) more coming soon I promise :)

[@greenman6141]

Wonderful video. Made the ship look really nice. Hours of nausea is worse than one or two quick vomits. But hours of vomiting is its own special hell. Like many people commenting below, this makes me terribly homesick . No nausea or vomiting, just a lot of heartache; and there's no pills for that.

[@euanmaclean2633]

I was lucky when I went on this ferry some years back. Mill pond calm. I too enjoyed the fish supper and we srayed at the hotel opposite the terminal in Lerwick. It was a good trip and so was the return a few days later. I recommend it.

[@mudpluggerdisco7853]

Takes me back to when I did the crossing back to Southampton from jersey...felt like a matchbox in a bathtub..the sea was atrocious, just like your journey..twitchy bum all the way..and also through the night..cheers for the memories..👍

[@steve-marsh]

And cheers to you for watching! Would love to take that ferry trip too!

[@jayburgh]

I did this journey in 2006 on their vessel Hjaetland and my gawd was it dog rough. Everybody, I mean everybody was puking. Except Antony and I. We took our anti seasick tablets an hour before we embarked, as you're supposed to, so while the others were takin' the bloke we were eating blocks of Cathedral City cheddar out of our fists lol.

[@steve-marsh]

Why do I think 'nah, I'm not taking tablets'? Because I'm an idiot :) Cheers for watching, appreciated :)

[@shnboardman1]

You should try the crossing from Scrabster to Stromness on the Hamnavoe, aparently it's the second roughest crossing, i do it every year as i work on the ferries. Nightmare

[@henrivanbemmel]

@@shnboardman1 What is the most roughest ...?

[@shnboardman1]

@@henrivanbemmel Not 100% sure, the worst i have experienced was in around 2009 on the Hamnavoe and i could not carry my dinner to the table. Have a look on Ytube, Hamnavoe rough crossing

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

I understand you can book a pet-friendly cabin now. I'd be taking my Labrador with me. She'd love a holiday in Shetland.

[@steve-marsh]

Yes you can! Aww she'd love it :)

[@SIEBEGORMEN]

GOOD to see you at it again Steve. From Ian. a Wicker living in New York City!

[@grindlessenior]

lerwick looks lovely!

[@steve-marsh]

Alan Grindley I’d live there tomorrow

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I've been on that one and it's the only ferry I've ever been sea sick on and I've been on hundreds of them.its really an Atlantic crossing rather than a North Sea one thus fully exposed to the Atlantic weather once it leaves the top of the Scottish mainland and the protection it gives.

[@steve-marsh]

It sounds even cooler when you put it like that :)

[@JK-zx3go]

In between the Mainland and Orkney is particularly special in a force 9.

[@rainwater8135]

I used to work on the Pride of Hull going across to Rotterdam every night. I’m not a sailor but a musician so very sensitive to all disturbance, lol. Three months from late sept to just before Christmas. We never sailed under an 8. Very often the North Sea was gale force. Some nights after midnight I’d go and sit on deck. It wasn’t open to the public, it was a short crew passageway along the side of the ship between crew accommodation. I’d sit on deck watching the boiling sea and the lights from other ships. Marvellous

[@steve-marsh]

Sounds fantastic! Thanks for the great comment!

[@IAmWithinEverything]

I would love to take this trip♥️♥️♥️

[@gkeaoyrge]

Great video! Looked like one hell of a rough night but nevertheless the ferry looks good and I imagine the Shetlands made the rough sea worth it.

[@steve-marsh]

George Kay absolutely right! Great place :) thanks for watching my video, super appreciated!

[@scottduffy6654]

Fond memories of taking that ship up to Lerwick to get on another ship for a month of work out at the rigs

[@steve-marsh]

You must’ve seen some proper weather out there on the rigs! Cheers for watching!

[@janinehawkins9565]

Watching this nearly 4 years later my how you have evolved and the channel too. Great vlog though ❤

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

12 hours!!! OMG. Well, if I ever want to lose weight quick I'll book one of these. It's interesting that you have done the Mull ferry trip (which was stunningly beautiful, thank you) but have as yet not done the Calmac Kennacraig to Islay trip, which I have taken.....many times. Once, we were heading back to the mainland on the early morning ferry. We drove from Port Charlette to Port Askaig in am absolute storm in pitch darkness. I couldn't see a thing. We got to Port Askaig and there were no lights so we queued up in the car loading section, the wind blowing the car left and right. Eventually it was our turn to board. Now, I had borrowed my Dad's little Mazda 3 and I'm sure he wanted it back in one piece. What greeted me was an absolutely terrifying sight. There was the opening to the ferry vehicle deck. The ramp which I was supposed to drive on was swinging violently not only up and down but left and right, and like some 1980s video game I had to time it perfectly to reach the ramp just as it reached the middle in or else we'd end up in the sea!!! The guy waving me on asked me to roll down my window, where upon I had a whole load of salty rain in my face. He shouted at me that if I was scared, he would drive the car on for me. Well, I wasn't having that! He hurt my ego So throwing caution to the wind (and rain) I counted the seconds for the ramp to swing from the right to the middle and put my foot on the accelerator..and timed it beautifully, thank G-d. That was pretty hairy! (Do you still say this? My English is frozen in the 1980s!) When we got on to the upper decks, despite having not eaten from the night before, I had used up 4 sick bags before we even left port. My wife, who never gets sea-sick was getting ill just watching me. Eventually we left and actually, once we got underway, it wasn't that bad. On a regular day, the journey is absolutely stunning. We here in Israel are not allowed to travel at the moment. It is the first year in over 20 years that I have not travelled to Scotland and I miss it terribly. I am really enjoying your wonderful videos. Keep them coming. .

[@steve-marsh]

Wow, that was so great to read - are you an author? Because if not, you should be - I was hanging on every word and had such a clear picture of your experience! Thanks so very much for sharing it. I wish you well and hope you can get back on the road soon. Thanks again, you inspire me to do more!

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

@@steve-marsh Ha Ha. I Have my own Kosher Whisky Blog site and write Whisky reviews. That's why we visit Scotland once and sometimes twice a year....but not this year. Please G-d, we'll make up for it next year when the vaccine finally arrives?. I want to take a whole month off and spend the time in Scotland..

[@Steve68858]

I did this trip with my parents when I was around 15 in the 1970s and experienced the same weather and terrible sea sickness. Absolutely awful crossing.

[@steve-marsh]

Stephen McDonald It sure gets its share of weather eh!? Pentland Firth especially I believe. You never forget sea sickness 🤢 Thanks for watching :)

[@danielsweeney6742]

Just started watching this video. You have definitely improved your videos from this.

[@briankelly2670]

Thanks for the vid. I'm going there next Tuesday fingers crossed that it's a bit smoother.

[@steve-marsh]

Ohhhh have you been already? How was it?

[@briankelly2670]

@@steve-marsh I went up last Tuesday night as I was working up in Shetland really enjoyed the crossings on the ferry but didn't see anything of Shetland as I was working long hours. Thanks for the vids keep up the good work.

[@stuartmcmillan512]

I've done the ferry crossing between the north and south islands of New Zealand on 2 or 3 occasions. It can either be brutal or completely calm. I've had both and its only about 3 hours!!

[@steve-marsh]

Stuart Mcmillan ahhh the good old Cook Straight crossing! I’ve done it as well but unfortunately before I started filming stuff :)

[@stuartmcmillan512]

@@steve-marsh congratulations on a superly well put together video. Well edited, good voice over work too. Happy to have subscribed to your channel

[@steve-marsh]

Stuart Mcmillan amazing, thanks so much for that!!! Keeps me inspired to create more content :)

[@cabovermike]

That is one nice ferry, looks brand new, i would have been flat out in the cabin to hopefully refrain from sea sickness,.ive had some bad crossings mainly on the irish sea,but also english channel, i remember as a kid on the ferry to stornoway that was really rough,and isle of skye and isle of arran was ok as not a long crossings,.allways glad to disembark,.cheers,.

[@steve-marsh]

cabovermike Haha I was glad to as well! It was weird, I don’t know, maybe because the cabin was so low down, it felt 100 times worse in there! Until I was just too tired though and didn’t notice anymore 🤣 thanks for the comment, great to read!

[@roroger2402]

This video sure had it's ups and downs.. Thanks a lot.😆👍

[@steve-marsh]

Haha 😂

[@jackirichards8789]

Loved that! The only Ferries I have been on are across Channel to France, we usually go overnight, we had one that was a bit lumpy but I slept through it (I can sleep through anything!!) Drives my husband mad! I drove the next day!! Really fancy having a nice long tour up to Scotland and on to Shetlands! Sounds fun! May take a bit of planning but that is all part of the fun! Thanks for the vlog!

[@steve-marsh]

Oh it would be awesome! And try to get to Foula and Fairisle too (we've not been there yet)

[@JK-zx3go]

I've had some rough nights on that boat. If they close the bar, start praying.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha very true!

[@beagle7622]

Made me laugh, yeh I would be panicking then.

[@SulphurS16]

Their better off closing it, better closed than covered in spew!

[@JK-zx3go]

@@SulphurS16 Everything gets covered in spew anyway :)

[@JohnFox-X333XXX]

Great video! Reminds me of a similar voyage from Lerwick after Up Helly Aa 2014! The ferry was cancelled for two days before they decided the conditions were OK. It was still rough that night though :-)

[@steve-marsh]

John Fox i’d take an extra couple of nights in Shetland, even in bad weather! Cheers for the kind comment :) would love to see Up Helly Aa!

[@constructioneerful]

That's such a good point about the Vegas carpets! 😂

[@NidgeOSullivan]

That was an absolutely excellent trip report, I really enjoyed that, thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Nidge! Appreciated :)