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Gills Bay is 3 miles west of John O Groats, 16 miles east of
Thurso,
by the main A836 road, on the far north coast
of Scotland.
Gills Bay is for Pentland Ferries to the
Orkney Islands, about a 1 hour crossing, 3
times each way, most days, between Gills Bay
and St Margaret's Hope on Orkney.
Price guide in 2025 about £98 car
return, £44 per passenger return.
Postcode: KW1 4YB.
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Camping & Touring Parks in
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The two Catamaran Twin Hull Ferries of
Pentland Ferries are MV Alfred
launched in 2019 that can carry 430 passengers
and 98 cars, and MV Pentalina
launched in 2008 that can carry 350 passengers
and 58 cars.
Pentland Ferries began operating in 2001
with the Ferry named Pentalina B
running between the newly built port at Gills
Bay and St Margaret's Hope on Orkney.
Pentalina B began life as the MV Iona for
the Scottish Transport Group in 1970, running
between Gourock and Dunoon.
The crossing over the Pentland Firth between
Scotland and Orkney has strong Tidal Currents,
probably why Pentland Ferries bought the 2
Catamarans as
they tend to be more stable in Strong
Currents.
The first fast Catamaran Ferries began
entering service from 1973 with them soon
capturing the Blue Riband for crossing the
Altantic in the shortest time.
The two Pentland Ferries have a service
Speed of about 16 knots, the fastest Catamaran
Ferries have a top speed of about 58
knots.
Some Catamaran Ferries have jet engines from
aircraft powering them.
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