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 ₹10,252 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
₹10,252
₹12,302 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
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! (331 reviews)
"Hotel is old fashioned and basic ,food and drink was good and staff friendly,"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Pentland
Castletown Hotel

Castletown Hotel

3 out of 5
Main Street, Castletown, Thurso, Scotland
The price is ₹10,478 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹10,478
₹12,573 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (425 reviews)
Pleasant night in the highlands.
"A lovely little hotel for a one night stop. Staff were all lovely and friendly. Our room was pleasant, on the ground floor, very clean with a comfortable bed. We ate in for dinner which was very good, good choice, also choice for vegetarians, and the portions were very good. Breakfast was a simple ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Castletown Hotel
Forss House Hotel

Forss House Hotel

4 out of 5
Forss, Thurso, Scotland
The price is ₹15,187 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹15,187
₹18,225 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Thurso. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Scrabster Ferry Terminal and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (204 reviews)
"The granary suite was beautiful and had a wonderful view of the waterfall from every window"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Forss House 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! (2 reviews)
"A home away from home. Very clean, comfortable and well-equipped, close to the centre of Thurso. Will stay here again, but for longer next time."

Reviewed on 13 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