Gills Harbour Ltd owns the low-lying land and foreshore (around 7 acres) in between the East and West Burns of Gills (which debouch at either side of the harbour), down (northwards) to the low-water (LWOST) mark from the foot of low cliffs. The latter forms the company’s southern land boundary. It is run by unremunerated local directors with office-bearers elected from their ranks at an annual general meeting each spring.

The community company leases part of its property for roll-on/roll-off goods and passenger ferry services.

This lease is “assigned” to successful family-owned firm Pentland Ferries Ltd (PFL), that has spent many millions of pounds on building its comprehensive, modern, land and sea terminals there and on adjacent seabed that PFL rents from the Crown Estate.