What to Do in Thurso
Thurso is in the historical area of Caithness and Caithness Horizons is a museum that brings the history of Caithness to life. The museum features a gallery space, exhibits on life in Thurso and information about the Dounreay nuclear reactor. Also worth a visit is Old St Peter’s Church (St Peters Kirk), which dates back to 1125. At one point it was the principal church for the county and a court setting of sorts in the 17th and 18th century. Here the public would decide how a criminal should be punished. In 1701, a woman who had a relationship with a Dutch sailor had her head shaved and was publicly shamed, a decision made at the church.
Fifteen minutes from Thurso town centre is the prize-winning Dunnet Bay Distillery, famous for its Rock Rose gin. During the summer, you can tour the distillery and sample both the gin and a vodka. While in the area, it is worth making the trip to Dunnet Head to stand at the most northern point of mainland Britain and to see the Dunnet Head Lighthouse built in 1831. The scenery is beautiful, with stunning sea cliffs, steely water and seabirds flying high above on their way to Orkney.
Thurso Castle is a ruined 19th-century Gothic castle in the Scottish Highlands and a twenty minute walk from the town centre of Thurso. It was originally a Viking stronghold, later acquired by the powerful Sinclair family. The ruins that survive today are of a Gothic style mansion rebuilt in the 19th century. The castle itself is not accessible but the ruins against the dramatic scenery of the northern coast makes for quite a photograph.
From Thurso, it is easy to travel to the Orkney Islands via a bus and ferry to Stromness, the second-most populous town in Orkney on the biggest isle, Mainland. The ferry trip is known for being particularly scenic. The Orkney Islands are known for their prehistoric treasures, such as stone circles, and their magnificent landscapes, with white sandy beaches and sea stacks.
If you’re interested in taking a tour of Thurso, take a look at our Prehistoric Britain tour and our Scotland: 5,000 Years of History tour. Both stay overnight in Thurso as part of a journey around Scotland and the isles, allowing you to see the wonderful north highland scenery and enjoy the ferry crossing from Thurso to Orkney.