Gills Bay Port Ferry Overview
Gills Bay lies on the Pentland Firth, a bay on the north coast of Scotland often used as the place to take the boat to Stroma which once had a thriving population. It is easily reached when driving round the north coast road. Well known locally for the seals which are often to be seen lying on the rocks near to the seashore.
Gills Bay's main features are a small harbour and the pier used as the mainland terminal for the Pentland Ferries service to St Margarets Hope. The harbour shelters some small local boats together with those used for working the sheep on the off lying island of Stroma. In the right sea conditions the area is sometimes used for surfing.
While Scrabster to Stromness is the longest continuously used ferry route to Orkney, started in 1856, historically the Gills Bay area has been the main setting off point from the mainland to the islands of Stroma and Swona and Orkney itself. This route, known as The Short Sea Crossing, is generally considered to be both the quickest and safest across the waters of the Pentland Firth. At present Pentland Ferries operate a year round service on this route to St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay. |
To view all UK ferry routes please 
