Travelling to the World Pilot Gig Championships

Getting yourself to the start line!

If you’ve never been to the Scillies you need to know that there are only 3 ways of getting there! By air (plane from Land’s End, Newquay or Exeter airports), by sea (ferry from Penzance) or on your own boat (including gig. Yes, some have done it).  You could possibly swim but we wouldn’t recommend this.

Transport obviously gets booked up quickly for the World Pilot Gig Championships. But gig rowers can take advantage of discounted travel by plane or ferry if they are a member of a participating gig club which is using the ferry to transport their gig(s) to the islands. This is thanks to the generosity of the Isles of Scilly Travel Company.

As of January 17th we have been told that availability on the ferry is already getting short for the Thursday outward journey (April 30th) and the return on Monday May 4th.

Details for the 2015 Championships are as follows: 

If your gig club is sending a gig and at least 15 club members per boat then you will qualify for the following discounted rates when booking via Isles of Scilly Travel (you may have to book on the phone rather than online to qualify):

Flights – discounted rates

From Land’s End – £68 each way

From Newquay – £89.25 each way

From Exeter – £123.25 each way

These rates only apply to outward flights on April 30th to May 2nd inclusive and return flights on May 4th to 6th inclusive.

Ferry – discounted rates

From Penzance only – £41.50 each way

Rates apply anytime between April 25th and May 9th inclusive.

Ferry times for the Gig Weekend

1st May

Depart Penzance at 06:30 and 13:30

Depart St Mary’s at 10:00 and 17:00

2nd May

Depart Penzance at 08:15

Depart St. Mary’s at 16:30

4th May 

Depart Penzance at 07:15 and 14:15

Depart St. Mary’s at 10:45 and 17:45

Photo courtesy of Visit Isles of Scilly