Orkney ferries

[Nisbet Galloway]

Planning to head for Orkney around 12th Sep.. As per our usual touring style we prefer to “wing it” so tend to book nothing and take our chances.
Anyone know if this is an option (in Sep) with either the Gills Bay or Scrabster ferries?
Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Gellyneck]

We went on Pentland Ferries (Gills Bay) on 19th September the year before lockdown and it was full.

Having said that, the vessel has now been replaced by a larger one and it was the first sailing since both ferries were off due to bad weather. Northlink (Scrabster) only started two days after and followed the Pentland route.

Ferry was nigh on full on the way back again 10 days later.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Cant answer your question but why don’t to go to book online for different dates you may want and you will see what availability is like.

 

[PaulC70]

You need to check their websites and simply see if they are both running then, as for winging it, its very much a decision you have to make and live with if you cant get the one you want when you want.

 

[Speve]

Scrabster was pretty full when we used it but we did pre book we had to reverse on as well

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TinaLes]

Just did a quick search/quote for 2 adults, no pets for our 7mtr MH from Scabster to Stromness 8th Sept to 14th Sept 2022, looks like the prices have gone up since last looking, but they advise to pre-book to get best prices.
See Below.
LES

Direct Ferries

ssl.directferries.com

 

[fat haggis]

My son is not long back from a
Dig (archaeology). 6 weeks. Said the ferry was full all the time. Tourism was flourishing.

 

[svenuk]

Not long back from there we went from Gills Bay to St Margaret's hope £220 for 2 adults and 7.35 Motorhome, stayed at Kirkwall bay touring park it was spotless, £ 27.50 a night, the ferry was full each way with many left to catch later sailings.

 

[L' Hobo]

Not long back from there we went from Gills Bay to St Margaret's hope £220 for 2 adults and 7.35 Motorhome, stayed at Kirkwall bay touring park it was spotless, £ 27.50 a night, the ferry was full each way with many left to catch later sailings.

That was the ferry that was the cheapest when I went a few years back, I pre-booked!

 

[bigtwin]

That was the ferry that was the cheapest when I went a few years back, I pre-booked!

The Gills Bay ferry is the cheapest and, unlike the Northlink ferry from Scrabster, receives no government subsidy. Please continue to support Pentland Ferries who are a family owned company.

Ian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gellyneck]

Not long back from there we went from Gills Bay to St Margaret's hope £220 for 2 adults and 7.35 Motorhome, stayed at Kirkwall bay touring park it was spotless, £ 27.50 a night, the ferry was full each way with many left to catch later sailings.

Was that the one next to the sports centre \ just up the road from Lidl \ Tesco?
If so, that's where we stayed and, as you say, individual shower \ toilet cubicles that were spotless.
We've got Scottish bus passes so, except to go get a puncture repair (screw in the tread I think from the ferry), the motorhome never moved. Much cheaper (well, free normally is! )

 

[bigtwin]

Was that the one next to the sports centre \ just up the road from Lidl \ Tesco?

It is.

Ian

 

[Gellyneck]

The Gills Bay ferry is the cheapest and, unlike the Northlink ferry from Scrabster, receives no government subsidy. Please continue to support Pentland Ferries who are a family owned company.

Ian

Agreed, and their route is normally less impacted by weather conditions.

 

[bigtwin]

Agreed, and their route is normally less impacted by weather conditions.

Quicker too, by 45 mins.

Ian

 

[mikebeaches]

Different ferry company and area, but a year or so back I found CalMac staff very happy to chat on the phone to advise how busy it was regarding the crossing from Skye to the Outer Hebrides - in our case - "plenty of space at the moment". I rang them about a fortnight ahead, and again about 3 days ahead. Which allowed us to 'wing it' and just turn up on the day to buy tickets.

Just ring the companies - what's the worst they can say...?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gellyneck]

Quicker too, by 45 mins.

Ian

That's 'cause it's downhill (both ways)!

 

[Nisbet Galloway]

Thanks to all for your replies.

Nisbet

 

[L' Hobo]

Different ferry company and area, but a year or so back I found CalMac staff very happy to chat on the phone to advise how busy it was regarding the crossing from Skye to the Outer Hebrides - in our case - "plenty of space at the moment". I rang them about a fortnight ahead, and again about 3 days ahead. Which allowed us to 'wing it' and just turn up on the day to buy tickets.

Just ring the companies - what's the worst they can say...?

I think, from reading on here, CalMac ferry rules concerning M/H's to the Outer Hebrides have changed lately, best to check?

 

[PaulC70]

I think, from reading on here, CalMac ferry rules concerning M/H's to the Outer Hebrides have changed lately, best to check?

Yes to the OH, but we're talking about Orkney in this thread

 

[L' Hobo]

Yes to the OH, but we're talking about Orkney in this thread

I agree but mikebeaches mentioned OH and I did not want anyone to get confused by what was said, read my post #9.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mikebeaches]

I think, from reading on here, CalMac ferry rules concerning M/H's to the Outer Hebrides have changed lately, best to check?

Yes, I believe you are right - I remember. Is it now the case that anybody with a motorhome has to book ahead for the Outer Hebrides?

And apologies, didn't intend to hijack the thread - just suggesting it is worth talking to the relevant ferry companies on the phone to see if they are prepared to divulge how busy they are with advance bookings. And yes, I appreciate the OP was not talking about the OHs.