Has anyone taken a tandem on the ferry from John O'Groats to Burwick in the Orkneys?
They don't answer the phone and so far my question by email hasn't been answered.
Tandem John O'Groats to Burwick
Re: Tandem John O'Groats to Burwick
They probably will, but it would be a bit awkward, at least going by when I went over last June (with a solo).
The bike went on up the gangplank to the upper deck, then it had to go down the stairs on the boat to disembark from the lower deck. It's probably worth trying to get on first so you can take it downstairs before everywhere is cluttered with other passengers.
The JOG-Burwick ferry only runs May to September (incl), so there was probably nobody at the office. Try again next week, or you may get a belated reply anyway.
The alternative is the Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope ferry, 3 miles towards Thurso, saving about double that on the other side (unless you want to visit the Tomb of the Eagles, in which case it's about 9 miles extra). The Gills Bay ferry is a car ferry, so plenty of bike space.
The bike went on up the gangplank to the upper deck, then it had to go down the stairs on the boat to disembark from the lower deck. It's probably worth trying to get on first so you can take it downstairs before everywhere is cluttered with other passengers.
The JOG-Burwick ferry only runs May to September (incl), so there was probably nobody at the office. Try again next week, or you may get a belated reply anyway.
The alternative is the Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope ferry, 3 miles towards Thurso, saving about double that on the other side (unless you want to visit the Tomb of the Eagles, in which case it's about 9 miles extra). The Gills Bay ferry is a car ferry, so plenty of bike space.
Last edited by andrew_s on 29 Apr 2017, 10:13pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Tandem John O'Groats to Burwick
Many thanks Andrew, great idea we will do that.
bob sweet
bob sweet
Re: Tandem John O'Groats to Burwick
Yes we have. It was in 1995, after a lejog, but I assume the boat is still the same one. As noted, a bit of manhandling is required due to different levels but there was no suggestion of it not being taken. It was very windy when we did the crossing and it took 3 attempts before it finally hit the jetty at what appeared to be full speed. We then called in on an ex colleague of the stoker who suggested the end of August was the end of summer and that things needed to be put away or tied down, and recounted stories of rabbit hutches and the like being blown away. But a wonderful place, well worth visiting on a calm day!
Re: Tandem John O'Groats to Burwick
gills bay ferry will be easiest, it's a big one with full size lgvs packed closely together and lots of room for your bike. coffee and bacon baps in mid-trip. get your binoculars out for the birds. last year there were divers puffins black guillemots an eagle((no it wasn't a buzzard!) etc all around the ship.