[01:32.34]TAMMY:You know when you went to the Shetland Islands last year, Paul?
[01:36.50]Did you go by ferry or did you fly?
[01:39.78]PAUL:We went by ferry, Tammy.
[01:41.82]I prefer driving to flying – the journey feels like part of the holiday.
[01:45.82]TAMMY:Mmm. Which ferry company did you use?
[01:49.46]PAUL:There’s only one – it’s called Northern Ferries. The ferries all leave from Aberdeen.
[01:55.45]TAMMY:How frequent are they?
[01:57.29]PAUL:The service is pretty limited – there’s only one ferry leaving every evening in summer anyway, seven days a week – I’m not sure about the winter months.
[02:06.65]They may only run on four or five days then.
[02:10.05]TAMMY:OK. So it’s an overnight trip.
[02:13.41]I quite like that idea. Leaving at night and waking up as you arrive on the island.
[02:20.65]Can you remember how much you paid for your tickets?
[02:23.93]PAUL:They were really cheap and four people and a car worked out at just under £250.
[02:29.73]TAMMY:Really?
[02:30.65]I was expecting it to be more like £400 during the peak season.
[02:35.57]PAUL:So was I.
[02:36.33]It’s great value.
[02:38.05]It’s a good idea to book in advance because I think they get booked up quite quickly – especially during the school holidays.
[02:45.33]TAMMY:Yes, I suppose so.
[02:47.77]I’m just not 100% sure of our plans yet.
[02:52.29]What if I had to cancel?
[02:54.37]PAUL:That could be a problem.
[02:56.64]I don’t think it’s their policy to give refunds – just a voucher – which you can use at a later date.
[03:03.56]But you have to cancel a month in advance to get that.
[03:06.96]TAMMY:Right.
[03:08.04]Well we need to make up our minds quickly then.
[04:08.77]PAUL:You’d want to book a cabin too.
[04:11.21]We booked too late to get a cabin with a window.
[04:14.45]They’re more expensive but much nicer than the inner cabins.
[04:18.57]You don’t have to book a cabin at all but I think it’s worth paying for.
[04:22.89]They also have luxury cabins, which are only for two people and have a TV – but I wouldn’t bother with those.
[04:30.41]TAMMY:No, I agree.
[04:31.81]PAUL:The only other thing I can think of is to make sure you bring snacks for the kids.
[04:37.07]The selection on board is quite limited and not that healthy either.
[04:42.67]TAMMY:Mmm. What about wifi on board?
[04:45.43]Is that any good?
[04:46.63]PAUL:Not really.
[04:47.91]So it’s best to bring some books for them.
[04:50.39]TAMMY:OK.
[04:51.35]We may need to bring the dog if I can’t get anyone to look after him.
[04:55.67]PAUL:We brought ours and it was fine.
[04:58.15]The kennels on board are OK – they’re quite big – you just need to provide a blanket.
[05:03.71]TAMMY:Uhuh. Sounds good.
[05:05.71]PAUL:It was all very easy really – and it was quite an adventure for the kids.
[05:10.63]They loved being on the sea at night and in the morning keeping a lookout for dolphins – we saw loads.
[05:17.35]TAMMY:Oh, the kids would love that!
[05:19.79]PAUL:One other thing.
[05:21.13]We arrived in Aberdeen hours before the ferry was due to leave so we decided to go somewhere else rather than hang around at the port for so long.
[05:29.61]TAMMY:Where did you go?
[05:31.05]PAUL:Drum Castle.
[05:34.81]TAMMY:I’ve never heard of it. Is that spelt like the instrument?
[05:37.37]PAUL:Yeah.
[05:38.17]It’s really worth visiting.
[05:40.17]It’s got an impressive tower and beautiful gardens and ancient woodland.
[05:45.30]TAMMY:Sounds lovely.
[05:47.14]Does it have a restaurant?
[05:49.14]PAUL:It’s only got a coffee shop – no restaurant.
[05:52.38]We looked up restaurants in the area and found an Italian one in a village nearby.
[05:57.50]I can check the name of it for you if you’re interested.
[06:00.46]TAMMY:Oh thanks Paul that would be ….
