Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
its port,
Scrabster
. Yet it makes a good base for the area and is legendary among British
surfers
, drawn to a wave which barrels off a reef just east of the harbour. One of the most
powerful waves in Europe, “hurso East” is not a break for beginners.
he town's name derives from the Norse word
horsa
, literally “River of the God
hor”, and in Viking times this was a major gateway to the mainland. Later, ships set
sail for the Baltic and Scandinavian ports loaded with meal, beef, hides and fish. Much
of the town, however, dates from the 1790s, when Sir John Sinclair built a large new
extension to the old fishing port. Consequently, hurso's grid-plan streets have some
rather handsome Victorian architecture in local, greyish sandstone. here's little sign of
those older roots except
Old St Peter's Church
up the High Street, a substantial ruin
with origins in the thirteenth century.
Caithness Horizons
High St • April-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm; Oct-March Mon-Sat 10am-6pm• Free •
T
01847 896508,
W
caithnesshorizons.co.uk
Caithness Horizons
, a local museum in a revamped Victorian town hall, is more
modern than any other museum on the coast, using interactive technology as well as
old photos to explore local geology, history, farming and fishing. Treasures include a
Bronze Age beaker and a Viking brooch. he centre also hosts temporary art
exhibitions in a gallery and has a café.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
THURSO
By train
Trains to Thurso leave from Inverness and go up
the east coast via Lairg. The following services are all Mon-
Sat 4 daily, Sun 1 daily.
Destinations
Inverness (4hr); Lairg (2hr 10min); Wick
(30min).
By bus
Buses depart from the train station, Olrig St and Sir
George's St.
Destinations
Inverness (4-5 daily; 3hr 30min); John O'
Groats (Mon-Fri 6-10 daily, Sat 5 daily; 1hr); Wick (Mon-
Fri 8 daily, Sat 4 daily; 35min).
By ferry
NorthLink ferries (
W
northlinkferries.co.uk)
operate ferries to Stromness, Orkney (4-6 daily; 90min),
from Scrabster, a mile west of town, linked by buses from
the train station.
12
INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist o
ce
Located in the foyer of the Caithness
Horizons, on the High St (April-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-6pm,
Sun 11am-4pm; Oct-March Mon-Sat 10am-6pm;
T
01847 896508).
Tempest Surf
Riverside Rd, by Thurso harbour
T
01847 892500.
Offers equipment hire, including
boards (£20/day), wetsuits (£20/day) and boots and
gloves (£5/day).
ACCOMMODATION
Forss House Hotel
3 miles west of Thurso on A836
T
01847 861201,
W
forsshousehotel.co.uk.
Built in
1810 as a hunting lodge, this thirteen-bedroom hotel
offers an upmarket stay, with a choice of traditional
accommodation in the main house or more modern rooms
in annexes. The Forss river, which wends through the
ground
s, offe
rs fine salmon fishing - the hotel can provide
a gillie.
£130
The Marine
38 Shore St
T
01847 890676,
W
themarinethurso.co.uk.
Opened in 2013, the newest
B&B in town has modern furnishings and tweed
headboards for a relaxed, modern style. More appealing
than the rooms is the small conservatory off the
bre
akfast
room with superb sea views - surfers take note.
£90
Murray House
1 Campbell St
T
01847 895759,
W
murrayhousebb.com.
Central, comfortable and
friendly, this B&B is a proper home from home, with five
cottagey rooms of floral wallpaper and warm saffron
and cream colours, all en suite. Mod cons include
flatscreen
TVs
and wi-fi. Off-street parking available for
residents.
£70
Sandra's
24-26 Princes St
T
01847 894575,
W
sandras-backpackers.co.uk.
The only hostel in town
is a clean and well-run 26-bed place that's managed by
the owners of the popular chippy downstairs.
Refurbished in 2013, its small but neat rooms are all en
suite.
Free
internet
acc
ess and discount bike rental.
Dorms
£16
; doubles
£38
Thurso Bay Camping & Caravan Park
Scrabster
Terrace
T
01847 892244,
W
thursobaycamping.co.uk.
Large, trim site a 5min walk west from the town centre. As
well as views to Dunnet Head and Orkney, it has an on-site
café wi
th free wi-fi and a laundry. Closed Oct-March.
£15.50
/pitch
