Thurso Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Thurso
Thurso which includes street scenes and heritage architecture
Dunnet Head Lighthouse featuring bird life
Duncansby Head which includes general coastal views, tranquil scenes and rugged coastline
Thurso showing heritage architecture and heritage elements

Britain’s northernmost mainland town, this cheerful vacation resort is a popular surfing center and excellent base for excursions into the surrounding countryside.

Thurso makes a convenient stopover point for visitors continuing to Scrabster, where ferries depart for the Orkney Islands. Many visitors simply transit through this charming town, but it’s worth slowing down to enjoy its quaint traditional shops, bars and restaurants. Walk along the river, check out the history museum and watch surfers on the beach.

Learn about the history of Caithness country at the superb Caithness Horizons Museum. Tracing the development of Caithness from nearly 400 million years ago to the present, the museum features wonderful audiovisuals as well as fine Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts. Don’t miss the Dounreay exhibit, which explores the impact of the Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) and its Nuclear Power Establishment on the county.

The town also has lovely beaches, particularly along Dunnet Bay. One of the world’s top cold surf destinations, Thurso offers some of the most consistent surf on mainland Britain. Take a surfing lesson or enjoy watching experienced surfers challenge the waves.

View the ruins of Old St. Peter's Kirk, a church dating back to the 12th century or take a stroll along the River Thurso. One of the most popular trails begins near Waterside House, offering a gorgeous 45-minute walk through the countryside.

Take the bus to visit the nearby Castle of MeyOpens in a new window, a favourite summer home of the late Queen Elizabeth. Dating back to the 16th century, this beautifully restored castle offers delightful insight into the life and interests of the Queen Mother. Check out the view over the castle’s Walled Garden to see islands in the North Atlantic Ocean from the top of the turret.

Travel to Dunnett Head to see its evocative 19th-century lighthouse. Set on the northernmost point of the Scottish mainland, the lighthouse’s headland offers magnificent views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands.

To get here, take the train or bus from InvernessOpens in a new window. Thurso is also well connected to Orkney and Shetland by ferry. Enjoy your discovery of the many laid-back charms of Thurso.

Pentland

Pentland

3 out of 5
Princes Street, Thurso, Scotland
The price is ₹9,351 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
₹9,351
₹11,222 total
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Thurso. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (329 reviews)
"Stayed, two adults, two kids. Room was slightly updated from the pictures- two beds vs the picture showed bunk beds. Overall nice, black out curtains, room enough for all our bags. Breakfast included was tasty and perfect. Would def stay again."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Pentland
Castletown Hotel

Castletown Hotel

3 out of 5
Main Street, Castletown, Thurso, Scotland
The price is ₹10,338 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
₹10,338
₹12,406 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Thurso. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (421 reviews)
One to try as a base if touring in the area,
"Fantisic stay wih friendly,helpfull and lovely staff. Excellent food with large portions,and great choice and standard of catering.Basic but adequate rooms comfortable and equipped will all basic requirement to cover an overnight or longer.we stayed for 3nights using hotel as base for touring the ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Castletown Hotel
Park Hotel

Park Hotel

3 out of 5
Oldfield, Thurso, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Thurso. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (419 reviews)
"Friendly and welcoming staff. Room clean comfortable. Restaurant and bar staff were attentive. Had a very enjoyable stay."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Park Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Short Walk to the Beach - 2 Guests - Free Parking

Short Walk to the Beach - 2 Guests - Free Parking

2 out of 5
Thurso, Scotland
Stay at this residence in Thurso. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Scrabster Ferry Terminal and Thurso Library are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Top Notch
"Fabulous place and in a great location."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Short Walk to the Beach - 2 Guests - Free Parking
Apartment 65B

Apartment 65B

3.5 out of 5
Princes Street, Thurso, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Thurso. Enjoy laundry facilities, premium TV channels and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Scrabster Ferry Terminal ...
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"Apartment was clean and well-equipped. We loved our stay!"

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Apartment 65B
Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House

3 out of 5
Gingerbread House Mey, Thurso, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Thurso. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Castle of Mey and Gills Bay Ferry Port are located ...
Gingerbread House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Thurso

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 22%
4 - Good
27
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
16
3 - Okay 28%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Thurso appears to have little to offer to the tourist

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful scenery and plenty of places to explore, you would need about a month in this area to fully explore and see all the beautiful places throughout this whole area. Would recommend a visit to this beautiful part of Scotland.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We will be back next year to do the 500. Trust me on this long trip of ours we have stayed in alot worse

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great. Lots of places to visit

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nice little town

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place to stopover on a beautiful trip around the north coast of Scotland!

Cities near Thurso