Scrabster Ferry

Scrabster Guide

Thurso/Scrabster is mainland Scotland's most northerly town, and home to the country's most northerly railway station. Located on the north coast of Caithness, its seaward views are dominated by the distant cliffs of Dunnet Head to the north east, and those of the island of Hoy to the north. It's origins are revealed in its name, which comes from the Norse for Thor's River. The Vikings were well established here from as early as the 900s, using the river mouth as a port and fishing base. After the Viking's eviction, the town continued to grow around its fishing and trade. Little remains from its early days, though the now roofless Old St Peter's Church was first established in 1220. In 1798, Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster built the New Town to the south and west of the Old Town with wide streets laid out on a regular grid. Today much of the original pattern of both towns remains on view. In the 1850s Scrabster developed into an important harbour.