Directions and Connections

Travelling from Inverness to Gills Bay takes approximately 2 ½ hours. Take the A9 north bound route out of Inverness. When you reach Latheron take the A99 road to Wick/John O’Groats. Follow the A99 through Wick. Follow the A99 towards John O’Groats. After approximately 15 miles turn left just past Freswick, veer right. 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 4miles west of John O’Groats

For satellite navigation, the postcode for Gills Bay ferry terminal is KW1 4YB

Connections

The nearest train stations are Wick and Thurso. Visit www.scotrail.co.uk

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Bus connections

There is a limited bus service between Inverness and Gills Bay, operated by Stagecoach.
Please visit www.stagecoachbus.com for departure times or to book seats visit www.citylink.co.uk.

(effective from 3 January 2025)

MONDAY – FRIDAY

Wick/Inverness
0900: Ferry arrives at Gills Bay
0911: Thurso to Wick bus arrives/departs Gills Bay
0956: Arrives Fergus Road,
0958: X99 departs Fergus Road Wick for Inverness.

Wick
1245: Ferry arrives at Gills Bay
1325: Thurso to Wick bus arrives/departs Gills Bay
1411: Arrives Fergus Road, Wick

Thurso
0900: Ferry arrives at Gills Bay
0928: Wick to Thurso bus arrives/departs Gills Bay

1800: Ferry arrives at Gills Bay
1850: Wick to Thurso bus arrives/departs Gills Bay

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SATURDAY

Thurso
1800: Ferry arrives at Gills Bay
1900: John O’ Groats to Thurso bus arrives/departs Gills Bay

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Please check all bus times directly with the operators (above).
Note that Highland Council plan to introduce more Inverness-Gills Bay bus links by Spring 2025. Please check back for further details.

There is also a bus service between St Margaret’s Hope and Kirkwall. This is the X1 service and is operated by Stagecoach. Please visit www.stagecoachbus.com for departure times.