Thurso is the most northerly town in Scotland and is located at the extreme end of the A9 road. It is also the most northerly town serviced by the rail network, so you can either drive here or take the train. The River Thurso runs through the town making it a very picturesque sight. In fact, this town has received the Scotland Town of the Year award 14 years in a row. From the beach, you can look out over the Firth to the Orkney – Island of Hoy, where you can see the Old man of Hoy – a towering rock that stands out from the main part of the island. Ferries to many of the islands depart from here, so it is a base from which you can explore more remote parts of Scotland.
Thurso is the home of the North Highland College and has a small museum where you can learn of the town's history. This Heritage Museum houses some very interesting Pictish carvings that were excavated in the area. Here you can enjoy indoor activities such as bowling or watch the latest movie release at the cinema. There is a small skateboard park as well and an Internet café if you want to keep up to date with your emails while you are on vacation.
During its long history, Thurso was an important Norse port and was controlled by the Norse until 1266. The port was also of significance with European trade right up to the 19
th century. The layout of the town as it is today was planned during the 19
th century, but there are still vestiges of an earlier time in the ruins of Old St. Peter's Kirk, which is believed to date from the middle of the 13
th century. This church stands on the site of the original church built by Bishop of Caithness.
There are powerful waves that roll in from the Atlantic making Thurso popular with surfers. These waves have been compared with those of Hawaii, but the temperature is certainly a bit cooler. You can find out about the local surfing beaches when you visit the Tourist Information Centre.
Thurso is a town where you won't have any difficulty getting a room for the night or for an extended stay. There are many bed and breakfasts, family run inns and there are three hotels in the town. You can also experience some camping just north of the town.
Northlink Orkney and Shetland Ferries – NorthLink Ferries – car ferry service to the Orkney Isles, & the Shetland Islands from Scrabster (nr. Thurso).
