Excerpt and Photo from bbc.com
For some Orcadians, taking a ferry can be more like tackling an assault course. That was certainly my experience as a blind person travelling between the islands.
I went to Orkney after being contacted by people with disabilities who found it difficult to make journeys between the islands on the ageing fleet.
Last year, the Scottish government agreed with Orkney Islands Council’s request to look at the financial case to start replacing the inter-island ferries, which are vital lifelines for communities.
But there’s a long and expensive journey ahead before new vessels might become a reality, so I wanted to experience firsthand the conditions on board.
My first trip was to Shapinsay – a short 30-minute journey from Orkney’s capital, Kirkwall. I’ve been on many ferries over the years, but none was as challenging and hazardous as this.
First I had to navigate the narrow spaces between the tightly-packed cars on the ferry. This would be difficult enough for anyone – and impossible for a wheelchair user.