280 John o Groats to Thurso via Gills, Mount Vernon

Operated by Stagecoach Bluebird. First bus 05:55, last bus 17:32. 4 journeys on weekdays. Fares: set by the operator — more.

Next towards Thurso from Car Park (at): 17:32

Next towards John o Groats from Royal Bank of Scotland (o/s): 16:47

Wanted a different 280? 11 other bus routes are numbered 280 elsewhere in the UK — see every 280 bus timetable by area.

Timetable

Ends at Thurso Station · Monday to Friday · 2 journeys
Stop 06:3017:32
Car Park (at) 06:3017:32
Post Office (opp) 06:32·
Hall (at) 06:37·
Royal Crescent (opp) 06:4517:43
Church (opp) 06:50·
Greenvale Farm (opp) 06:5617:47
Telephone Kiosk (opp) 06:5917:51
Drill Hall (opp) 07:0517:57
Whitfield House (at) 07:12·
Station 07:1618:07

Each column is one journey, headed by the time it sets off. A · means that journey does not stop there. Times are shown at the route's main timing stops — buses serve all stops in between. Switch a table to All stops for every stop it calls at, or open a stop's own page for live departures there.

The England fare cap doesn't apply in Scotland — Stagecoach Bluebird sets the fares on the 280. Under-22s, over-60s and eligible disabled passengers travel free with a National Entitlement Card. Who travels free →

Tickets on the 280

Stagecoach Bluebird publishes singles on this route for adults and children.

Single

Ticket types come from Stagecoach Bluebird's own fares data on the Bus Open Data Service, last updated 13 August 2026. That dataset lists what's sold, not what it costs, so check prices with Stagecoach Bluebird.

Route map

All stops on route 280

280 towards Thurso

All 15 stops
  1. Car Park (at) John o Groats
  2. Post Office (opp) John o Groats
  3. JOG Knitwear (at) John o Groats
  4. Hall (at) Canisbay
  5. Ferry Terminal Road End (W-bound) Gills
  6. Bus Shelter (at) Gills
  7. Royal Crescent (opp) Mey
  8. Church (opp) Scarfskerry
  9. Greenvale Farm (opp) Barrock
  10. Telephone Kiosk (opp) Dunnet
  11. Drill Hall (opp) Castletown
  12. Ross Cottage (opp) Castletown
  13. Sibmister Road End (at) Murkle
  14. Whitfield House (at) Mount Vernon
  15. Station Thurso

280 towards John o Groats

All 19 stops
  1. Royal Bank of Scotland (o/s) Thurso
  2. Sir Georges Street Church (at) Thurso
  3. Whitfield House (opp) Mount Vernon
  4. Tesco (nr) Mount Vernon
  5. Sibmister Road End (opp) Murkle
  6. Rose Cottage (at) Castletown
  7. Drill Hall (o/s) Castletown
  8. Gunns Lane (opp) Castletown
  9. Telephone Kiosk (o/s) Dunnet
  10. Greenvale Farm (opp) Barrock
  11. Church (o/s) Scarfskerry
  12. Royal Crescent (at) Mey
  13. Bus Shelter (opp) Gills
  14. Ferry Terminal Road End (E-bound) Gills
  15. Primary School (o/s) Canisbay
  16. Hall (opp) Canisbay
  17. Houses (at) Huna
  18. JOG Knitwear (opp) John o Groats
  19. Car Park (at) John o Groats

Service registration & registered changes

This service is registered to be withdrawn from 19 October 2026. Stagecoach Bluebird has registered the cancellation with the Traffic Commissioner. Services are sometimes re-registered before the date arrives. See the registration →

From official Traffic Commissioner registrations. Registration PM0000005/790 · Registration PM0000005/791 · Changes in Highland Council · All service changes →

Towns & areas on this route

ThursoGillsJohn o GroatsMount VernonCastletownCanisbayHunaBarrockDunnetScarfskerryMeyMurkle

Frequently asked questions

What time is the first 280 bus?

The first 280 departure on weekdays leaves at 05:55 (check the full timetable below for your stop, as times vary along the route — weekend times can differ).

What time is the last 280 bus?

The last 280 on weekdays leaves its first stop at 17:32. Always check the timetable for your specific stop — later stops are reached after this time.

How much does the 280 bus cost?

The England fare cap doesn't apply in Scotland — Stagecoach Bluebird sets the fares on the 280. Under-22s, over-60s and eligible disabled passengers travel free with a National Entitlement Card.

Who runs the 280 bus?

The 280 is operated by Stagecoach Bluebird.

Is the 280 bus being withdrawn?

Stagecoach Bluebird has registered the withdrawal of the 280 with the Traffic Commissioner, effective 19 October 2026. A registered withdrawal is the operator's formal notice that it intends to stop running the service; operators do sometimes re-register before that date, and the local transport authority can tender a replacement.

Timetable data from Stagecoach Bluebird via the DfT Bus Open Data Service (Scotland feed). Registered with the Traffic Commissioner as PM0000005/790. Check before you travel — services can change at short notice.