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Pentland Firth - Travel

TRAVEL - WHERE TO STAY
There is a lot to see in the Pentland Firth area from the coastline of Caithness or the southern end of the Orkney Islands.  The wild weather with is amazing contrasts from wonderful sunny days to the freshest breezes (or gales) depending on when you come.  The summer months are mainly calmer and most boat trips or ferry trips are over relatively calm water.   You will of a huge variety of sea birds either on the boat trips or around the cliffs or beaches.  Both sides of the Pentland Firth have their share of rugged cliffs with many vantage points easily accessible to transport of all forms.  If you are reasonably fit there are many places to walk around parts of the coast or stroll along the quiet beaches - a few do even swim.  So here is some information to help you get to experience The Pentland Firth.     Castles In Caithness    Caithness Cliffs & Stacs

Take a browse through the other parts of Caithness.org or The Orkney Web Site

Getting to The Pentland Firth
By Road from the south the main route is up the A9 which splits at Latheron continuing to Thurso or the coastal route to Wick the A99.  Use AA Route Planner to get detailed directions from any place in the UK to places in Caithness or Orkney and print them out at home before you leave.  Click here to see a Map of the roads in Caithness & Orkney
By Bus The Orkney Bus From Inverness John O'Groat Ferry Company      Scrabster New Pier Development Opening in 2003
Every Day from May to 2 September

By Rail  - Links in the UK are via Glasgow, Edinburgh and then to Inverness and on to Wick or Thurso.
See Caithness.org UK information page for Rail travel and booking links.

By Air -STravel To Caithness and The North

By Sea over Pentland Firth  From 1st April 2003 will be operating our full licence and will be able to take 250 passengers and 47 cars each sailing.
Pentland Ferries is the latest company to take passengers and vehicles over the Pentland Firth.  Using the route from their new pier at Gills in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope.  Able to carry 47 cars and 249 passengers this is a quicker route that the one from Scrabster.  Single fare is £10 passenger £25 Car.  Child 5 - 16 £5.  check the web site for other fares.   telephone 01856 831226

Northlink Orkney and Shetland Ferries
Ferries run regularly from Scrabster Harbour outside Thurso to Stromness in Orkney.  The main operator is Northlink
Northlink now runs the ferry route from Scrabster to Stromness having taken over from P & O whio used to run the OLA.
Check out Caithness.org Ferry pages to see the ferries and links to the ferry operator web sites.

A shorter crossing runs from John O'Groats for foot passengers only in the summer months -
Day Tours From John O'Groats to Orkney
Every day all summer from 1st May to 30th September. The tour ferry also takes passengers intending to travel on their own in Orkney by car or bus.

Places To Stay Links
Caithness -
Caithness Business Pages Tourist Section
Dunnet Head Area
one of the headlands of Caithness has its own unique features and many places to stay.
Most places to stay in Caithness are near the coast and the farthest away are only 10 - 20 minutes drive away.

Orkney -
Orkney Tourist Board Information

Caithness
Caithness Pictures In A to Z