The event which is being organized by Prof Alfred Baird of Napier University’s Transport Research Institute is part of this year’s Orkney International Science Festival. Over 20 leading experts will discuss the wide range of options from around the globe including ferries, hovercrafts, seaplanes, and tunnels.

Speakers will also consider the challenges of maintaining and developing airport, pier and harbour infrastructure.

“One option is of course simply to replace the various existing ferries,” says Prof Baird. “But there are also issues about sustainability, and this is an almost unique opportunity to take stock of the present system and look at all the possible options for the future. It’s important to be aware of the new developments that are taking place in various other parts of the world."

“Our aim is to bring together all the main players,” says Prof Baird. “We’ve had an excellent response and we’re able to get first-hand information on a range of key topical issues, from EU pricing policy to conditions for crews

Festival Director, Howie Firth, believes that “The Festival exists to highlight fresh ideas, and inter-island transport is certainly an area where new possibilities are going to be needed. It’s an immensely tough problem for the planners to solve, particularly when so many of the future parameters, such as the cost of fuel, are unknown.

"It’s clear that there is a widespread move throughout the UK towards the remoter areas, and this could bring regeneration to the islands – but only if the transport system develops to a suitable level for modern living and working patterns. We’re now in a once-in-a-lifetime period when there is a chance to plan long-term – and the brilliant array of speakers that Prof Baird has assembled will provide a big opportunity to hear the full range of possibilities to choose from.”