Thurso

Thurso is Britain's most northerly town on the mainland – there has been a settlement there since Viking times. It is situated around Dunnet Bay with views across to the island of Hoy.

Nearby are the Castle & Gardens of Mey, the former home of the Queen Mother, and Dunnet Bay which is popular for surfing. Also nearby is Scrabster where you can catch the ferry to Orkney.

Sir John Sinclair Memorial and St Peter's and St Andrew's Church Thurso

Where to visit

THURSO BEACH

The beach is 500 metres long, mostly sandy and is pleasant for a walk. See Scrabster tide times (the nearest data point 2 miles/3 km away).

NORTH COAST VISITOR CENTRE

The Visitor Centre houses a museum telling the story of the county of Caithness. Exhibitions include Pictish artifacts and the nearby Dounreay nuclear power station, where you can see parts of the reactor as well as the interior of a control room.

WOLFBURN DISTILLERY

Located on the edge of town, this whisky distillery dates from 1821 and was reopened in 2013. It produces single malt whiskies including 10 year old and 12 year old, and uses water from the neighbouring burn.

If offers tours and tastings, as well as the opportunity to fill, cork, capsule and label your own bottle in the shop. It was the largest distillery in Caithness in the early 19th century, and the foundations of the original building, made of Caithness flagstone, can still be seen.

THURSO LEISURE CENTRE

This facility has a standard swimming pool and a toddler pool.

NEARBY DUNNET BAY BEACH

Dunnet Bay is a two mile long sandy beach which is popular for surfing. There are two companies who offer surfing lessons and/or equipment hire: North Coast Watersports and Adventuro. It is a good idea to let them know you are travelling by bus to ensure they can meet you at the beach rather than at their nearby bases.

Please note there are no lifeguards, showers or changing facilities at the beach. Check the Dunnet Bay Surf Forecast.

The village of Dunnet is 20 minutes' bus journey from Thurso and from there it is 10 minutes' walk to the beach. See Stagecoach services 80 and 280 and alight at stop 'Dunnet, Telephone Kiosk'.

DUNNET BAY DISTILLERS

Also in Dunnet Bay, this distillery produces gin, vodka and rum. They use Highland water, and botanicals from the cliffs of the Pentland Firth, Dunnet Forest or the distillery’s garden.

As well as a shop and tasting room they offer tours and cocktail workshops. They generate their own electricity using solar panels, and the Rock Rose Gin can be refilled with a recyclable pouch.

SAVING! They offer a 10% discount on tours when a valid bus ticket is presented.

NEARBY CASTLE & GARDENS OF MEY

The Castle & Gardens of Mey was the former home of the Queen Mother. It is now open to the public and has become a very popular attraction (but note they are closed for two weeks in the summer).

On display are the rooms just as they were during the time she lived here, including some of her personal belongings. It is in a lovely setting overlooking the firth.

As well as the castle there are beautiful gardens, an animal centre, shop and tearoom. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

You can even stay on the estate in luxury accommodation at The Granary Lodge B&B (reviews: 4.9 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor).

You can get to Castle of Mey with 30-40 minutes' bus journey followed by 15-20 minutes' walk down the drive. See Stagecoach services 80 and 280 and alight at stop 'Mey, Post Office'.

NEARBY SCRABSTER FERRY TERMINAL

Scrabster is the departure point for ferries to Orkney. See our Guide to the Orkney Islands for information about transport between Thurso and Scrabster, the ferry journey and where to visit once you arrive in Orkney.