Gills Bay Ferry Terminal

Lying 3 miles West of John O'Groats, in the far North of Britain, Gills Bay ferry port is the mainland terminal for Pentland Ferries.

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Gills Bay Ferry Port

Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope is generally considered to be the safest and quickest across the waters of the Pentland Firth, connecting mainland Scotland to the Orkney Isles. The first pier at Gills Bay was constructed in 1905 and the harbour some time later, but it was not until the turn of the 21st Century that the founder of Pentland Ferries, Andrew Banks, rebuilt the harbour and ferry terminal, in order to introduce a regular "short sea crossing". Today, wildlife including common seals can be seen swimming in the firth and basking on the rocks around the harbour area and porpoises and even basking sharks can occasionally be seen in and around the bay.

Get directions for Gills Bay Ferry Terminal

Port address: Gills Bay Ferry Terminal, Canisbay, Wick, Caithness, KW1 4YB, Scotland.

Gills Bay terminal is served by these ferry routes:

Travelling to Gills Bay Ferry Terminal

Travelling from Inverness to Gills Bay takes approximately 2.5 hours. Take the A9 north bound route out of Inverness. When you reach Latheron take the A99 road to Wick/John O'Groats, just follow the A99 through Wick, just follow the A99 towards John O'Groats. After approximately 15 miles turn left just past Freswick, veer right, just follow the road for approximately one and a half miles, turn left onto the A836 follow the A836 for approximately 2 miles then turn right to the ferry terminal. Gills Bay is 4 miles west of John O'Groats

The nearest train stations are Wick and Thurso

There are bus links from Gills Bay to Inverness that connect with nearly all the Pentland Ferries sailings. Visit the Stagecoach Bus website and view the X99 service. Note that a change is required in Dunbeath.

Gills Bay Port Facilities

A café at the ferry terminal serves drinks, hot and cold snacks, newspapers and a selection of baked goods. Open 7 days a week from 8-10am and 11.30am until the last ferry departs in the evening. A takeaway service is also available.

There are some parking facilities at Gills Bay port. The terminal is equipped with CCTV but owners are advised that vehicles are left at their own risk.

This information is provided for guidance only.