Ferry from St Margaret’s Hope to Gills Bay

St Margaret’s Hope to Gills Bay

Operated by Pentland Ferries, the 45 minute crossing from St Margaret’s Hope back to the Scottish mainland is the shortest and safest route from and to the Orkneys.

A small family business established in 2001, Pentland Ferries offer three crossings a day, operating two modern ships.  The journey itself takes you back in time, passing whirlpools already mentioned in old Viking legends, and the islands of Swona and Stroma, which is home to wild living cattle that have just recently been acknowledged as their own breed. On a lucky day, the sea life itself may show its variety and you’ll be able to see orcas, dolphins and seals – even basking sharks have been spotted on rare occasions.

Gills Bay itself is a popular breading point for seals and they tend to occupy the surrounding rocks in colonies of thousands and thousands of animals.  If the weather and sea permit, the bay can be used for surfing - and surrounded by the beautiful rough landscape of Caithess it is worth staying a night or two in one of the small Bead and Breakfast’s to explore the area.