Pentland Ferries
Check prices & times »Pentland Ferries is a family-run, privately owned company running the shortest car ferry crossing to Orkney. It sails across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope in Orkney, in around an hour.
It's one of only two major vehicle ferry operators in Scotland that isn't state-owned or state-contracted, and it's built a strong following for its value and its modern, efficient ships. This guide covers the route, the fleet and how to book.
Pentland Ferries route
| Route | Type | Duration | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gills Bay–St Margaret's Hope | car & passenger | ~1 hour | Check Prices » |
The shortest and most sheltered car crossing to Orkney, across the Pentland Firth. See our Scotland routes guide for the wider picture.
Table of Contents
The route
The crossing runs from Gills Bay, a small harbour in Caithness about three miles west of John o' Groats, to St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay in Orkney.
At around an hour, it's the shortest and most sheltered car route across the Pentland Firth. The sailing takes you through the firth and into the Orkney archipelago, with a good chance of spotting wildlife — seals, porpoises, orcas, puffins and other seabirds — along the way.
The ships
Pentland Ferries runs modern purpose-built catamarans:
- MV Alfred: the flagship, an 85-metre catamaran introduced in 2019, carrying up to 98 cars and 430 passengers — claimed to be one of the greenest ferries of its kind, with far lower fuel use and emissions
- MV Pentalina: the earlier custom-built catamaran, still part of the fleet
- Onboard: a cafeteria for meals and refreshments, with no cabins on this short crossing
Booking and travel tips
A few practical things worth knowing:
- Book ahead: car space is limited and sells out in summer
- Check-in: arrive at least 45 minutes before departure with a vehicle
- Value: Pentland is often the cheaper option for taking a car to Orkney
- Pets: carried on the crossing
- Foot passengers: welcome, as well as cars, campers and motorhomes
Pentland Ferries and Orkney
Pentland Ferries is one of the main ways to reach Orkney by car, alongside the state-supported NorthLink services. Its short Gills Bay crossing is the quickest car route from the Scottish mainland, while NorthLink runs the longer Scrabster–Stromness and Aberdeen–Kirkwall crossings.
For the full picture of getting to Orkney and the rest of Scotland's islands, see our Scotland ferry guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What route does Pentland Ferries run?
Gills Bay in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope in Orkney — the shortest car ferry crossing to Orkney, at around an hour.
What ship does Pentland Ferries use?
The flagship MV Alfred, an 85-metre catamaran, along with the earlier MV Pentalina.
Is Pentland Ferries the shortest way to Orkney?
Yes — the Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope crossing is the shortest and most sheltered car route across the Pentland Firth.
Can I take my car and pet with Pentland Ferries?
Yes — the ferry carries cars, campers and motorhomes, and pets are allowed on the crossing.
How is Pentland Ferries different from NorthLink?
Pentland runs the short Gills Bay–Orkney car crossing; NorthLink runs the longer Scrabster–Stromness and Aberdeen–Kirkwall routes.