Gills Bay is a left-hand pointbreak that reels along a long, green headland on an exposed stretch of the Pentland Firth. When it turns on, it throws heavy, barreling walls over a slab-stone and boulder bottom, and some liken the lines here to those found around the Indonesian archipelago. It is a haven in huge westerly swells, a demanding wave that rewards patience and, if you get lucky, the occasional sight of killer whales offshore.
When It Works
The point draws swell from west to northwest (W-NW), with northwest (NW) the best match, since north swell is blocked by the Orkneys. It is usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, and it really needs the bigger end of that range to show its quality. Autumn and winter bring the swells that make it fire. Consistency is on the quieter side, so it can go long stretches without lining up, but the good days deliver long, heavy, sometimes hollow walls. As the tide drops, rocks and boulders can surface and the wave starts to section.
Wind and Tide
Look for a southwest (SW) offshore wind to clean it up. The point can work through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. Around mid tide the long sections have the best chance of linking up into one continuous wall.
Local Tips
This is an experts-only wave. The lineup stays quiet and can feel a little reserved, so you will often have it to yourself or close to it. Shortboards, fish, longboards, and bodyboards all suit it depending on the day. Treat the hazards seriously: exposed rock, strong rips fed by the Pentland Firth's notorious currents, serious size, and a tricky entry and exit.
Access
Parking is free but limited. Pull in by the pier, or leave the car on the main road and walk over the headland. Either way it is a long walk from the harbour to the wave.
