Steller: Create Beautiful Social Media Stories

Thurso

Welcome to Thurso, the northernmost town on the UK mainland! Bursting with breathtaking landscapes, this hidden gem will leave you in awe. Surf the epic waves at Thurso East, explore the mesmerizing countryside at Dunnet Head, or even catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights. With charming local pubs and friendly locals, Thurso is where adventure and relaxation collide.

From the Community

LewisArnold

Recommendations

Landmark4.6/5

Thurso Bay

Thurso bay with beaches and clear water.

Landmark5/5

Dunnet Bay

Bay in northern Scotland.

Landmark4.9/5

Wolfburn Distillery

Small whisky distillery with tours through its working rooms. Guides explain how the whisky is made, then pour a tasting of six whiskies.

Transport4.6/5

Thurso

Train station in Thurso with toilets, ticket office and seating.

Eat$$$4.2/5

Y Not Bar & Grill

Thurso bar and grill with a main bar for after-dinner drinks. Haggis arrives as popcorn to share.

Eat$$$4.4/5

T's Café Restaurant

This Thurso restaurant serves Sri Lankan food with layered, complex flavors.

Drink$$$4.4/5

Mr C's Bar

This Thurso cocktail bar has a TouchTunes jukebox for choosing music. Mondays bring live music, and Tuesdays are for board, card, and tabletop games.

Cafe$$4.4/5

Thurso Community Café

Thurso community café with coffee, cake and a small soft-play area. Toys keep toddlers busy while adults have a seat.

Stays

Stay4.45/5

Northern Sands Hotel

Northern Sands Hotel is situated in the village of Dunnet, 3 km from Dunnet Head and 13 km from Thurso. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site. Rooms are equipped with a HD Smart TV and feature private bathrooms with either a bath or shower, complimentary Scottish toiletries and a hairdryer. Northern Sands Hotel features free WiFi. A variety of menus are available throughout the day, all year round, using an extensive list of local produce. A full Scottish breakfast is provided. Guests can relax in the on site bar and guest lounge featuring a Sky TV. Activities in the local area include walking, running, surfing, wind surfing, horse riding and kite buggying. The family-run Dunnet Bay Distillery is a 1-minute walk away. John O Groats is 16 km from Northern Sands Hotel, while Kirkwall is 46 km from the property. The nearest airport is Wick Airport, 23 km from Northern Sands Hotel.

Stay$4.1/5

Holborn Hotel

The Holborn is a family run hotel situated in Thurso, a 5-minute walk to the beach. It offers en suite bedrooms with tea and coffee making facilities, TV and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is also within walking distance to the town centre, river walks and quaint harbour areas. The Castle of Mey and the Orkney Ferry Terminal are all nearby. The hotel‘s restaurant, The Red Pepper, serves an à la carte menu in the evenings. During the day, a bar meal is available at Bar 16 which boasts a jukebox and a pool table.

Stay$$$4/5

Station Hotel

Very close to Thurso Train Station, this hotel has free Wi-Fi, free public parking and comfortable rooms with Freeview TV. Station Hotel serves fine Scottish meat cooked in a traditional style. There is a good selection of drinks including several whiskeys. Full English breakfast is included in your room rate. The hotel is well located for Scrabster Harbour, and has welcoming, friendly staff.

Stay$3.75/5

Manor House

Manor House Hotel in Thurso is housed in a historic building, offering a unique and charming atmosphere. Rooms feature private bathrooms, river views, sofa beds, and modern amenities such as electric kettles and hairdryers. The family-friendly restaurant serves seafood with a traditional and modern ambience, offering brunch, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast includes continental, à la carte, full English/Irish, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Located less than 1 km from Thurso Beach and 31 km from Wick John O’Groats Airport, the hotel is near attractions like Sinclair’s Bay (28 km) and The Castle Gardens of Mey (21 km). Guests appreciate the attentive staff and comfortable rooms.

Stay4.3/5

The Park Hotel - Hotel in Thurso

Thurso hotel with a restaurant serving comfort food and a broad beer and whisky selection. Rooms look out over the town.

Stay4/5

Weigh Inn Hotel

Outside-cabin hotel in Scrabster with views across the sea to Dunnet Head and the Orkney Islands.

Stay4/5

Thurso Bay Caravan & Camping Park

This caravan and camping park sits above the coast near Thurso, with sweeping ocean views.

Things To Do
Provided by

5/5

2 h

2 hour group lesson (3-16 people)

Learn to surf with Scottish champion instructors. Experience some of Europes best waves Cosy high quality wetsuits so you don’t have to worry about the cold All equipment provided An amazing experience to have with your family and friends.

$68.02

5/5

2 h

2 hour private surf lesson! (Up to 2 people)

2 hour private surf lesson All equipment provided This is for up to two people and will be exclusive to your ability in surfing and what you want to achieve, Wheather that’s just having fun in the water or taking your surfing to the next level.

$231.27

5/5

120 h

Bespoke 5 day Tour - your personal itinerary

This is a 5 day example of what we can arrange for Your Tour. You can go North, South, East or West and we will help you create your own private tour, including the most important places and sites that you would like to see and experience.

$6,733.93

5/5

Top Of The Highlands Tour: John O' Groats, Caithness and More

With your Private Tour to the top of the highlands you will have officially reached the furthest point of the UK Mainland, the area of Caithness is filled with miraculous scenery from Cliffs to coastal views of the highlands. Enjoy some time at John O' Groats where the local council has developed a magnificent hub for tourists from food & drinks to the local brewery and much more all of this sitting on our beautiful coastline. Tour the Castle Of Mey or Dunrobin Castle with its luxury interiors, beautiful gardens and centuries of history they each have. Being a private tour enjoy you day at your own pace or customise it if you wish. (Within Reasonable Distance/Time) Please Note: Tour Duration is a estimate depending on starting location. If you are coming off the Scrabster cruise ship, the start time can be changed to suit the ship. Inverness 11 Hours Scrabster 7 Hours

$1,020.29

5/5

8 h

Bespoke Private Guided Tours

My tours, including sites like the Skara Brae, Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow, Yesnaby Cliffs, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, and many more are unique for several reasons: Skara Brae is Europe's best-preserved prehistoric village, dating back over 5,000 years. Italian Chapel was built by Italian POWs during World War II, making it a symbol of hope and resilience. Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness are both part of a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Yesnaby Cliffs and Marwick Head are known for their dramatic sea cliffs, offering breath taking coastal views. Overall, these tours are unique because they offer a fascinating blend of ancient history, dramatic natural beauty, and wartime significance, all while experiencing Orkney’s exceptional landscape and wildlife.

$231.27

4.9/5

72 h

3-Day North Coast 500 Small-Group Tour from Inverness

Scotland's 'Route 66' is a rollercoaster road of ruined castles, pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages. On this 3-day small-group tour from Inverness, you explore all of it in the comfort of a luxury, 16 seat mini-coach. You clamber through scattered boulders and spot a beach so white it makes you reach for your sunglasses. You ramble along cliffs and find a village so small you try to pack it in your suitcase. And you travel along tumbling roads and see castles so ancient you rub your eyes in disbelief. This is the North Coast 500. And over every horizon, you find something surprising.

$545.64

4.5/5

Private Full Day Tour in Orkney

Stepping back in time and delving into the rich tapestry of Orkney’s past with our expertly guided tours. The Orkney Islands are a treasure trove of Neolithic wonders, boasting some of the world’s most well-preserved archaeological sites. From the ancient village of Skara Brae to the majestic Ring of Brodgar, our tours offer you a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who shaped history thousands of years ago. Discover the secrets of Orkney’s ancient landscape and uncover the stories behind these remarkable sites. And not forgetting the role Scapa Flow did play in both world wars and the magnificent "Miracle of camp 60" The Italian Chapel and many more.

$217.66

3.7/5

72 h

Scotland Trips

A great environmental tour of the north of Scotland, by train! Other public transport may also be used.

$27.21

4 h

North Coast 500 Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK

Self-guided Tour & Treasure Hunt Travel Experience - Over 100 destinations & challenges to explore - Kid friendly & great for avoiding crowds - Flexible anytime start - 100% free cancellation up to 24hrs before - Just 1 Ticket for your whole group!! (with our great value device sharing ticket) The smartphone travel tool that helps you discover the great outdoors & connect with the world around you. Utilising seamless GPS technology, it takes you off-the-beaten-track to discover hidden gems & incredible places you may never find alone. As you travel you earn points by visiting destinations, solving clues & completing challenges. The Travel League lets you compete with fellow explorers. Each season win amazing prizes & become the UK’s Greatest Explorer! Whether exploring by car, on foot around town, or hiking across the countryside, our GPS technology guides you every step of the way. Take the stress out of planning trips with this perfect blend of challenge, fun & learning

$34.01

72 h

3 Day Orkney Islands Tour from Inverness

Experience an extra small group tour of up to only 16 clients. Day 1 Drive the scenic NC500 route, experiencing some of Scotland's most incredible views before taking the boat to the Orkney Isles. Once on the island, we'll visit the Italian Chapel and head to Scapa Distillery for a whisky tasting! Day 2 Experience the historic Viking town of Kirkwall. Travel back in time and get up close to 5000 year old Standing Stones, Stone Circles and enter an ancient Chambered Burial Cairn. Day 3 Travel by boat over the sea to the mainland before visiting John O'Groats, the northernmost settlement on the British mainland. Crawl on your hands and knees to reach the center of historic burial cairns. Experience coastal scenery on the stunning drive to Inverness. (Please note: days may be done in a different order/include a different distillery).

$612.18

72 h

Scotland’s North Coast & Highlands - Road Trip Guidebook

This self-guided Highlands road trip is designed to show how the landscapes of northern Scotland connect into one coherent journey rather than a single coastal loop. Instead of simply following the North Coast 500, the guide explores the wider Highlands, linking sea lochs, glens, remote peninsulas and mountain passes into a natural travelling progression. You can travel the full circular route or explore individual sections depending on your timeframe. Along the way the guide highlights iconic Highland locations alongside quieter roads, coastal villages and remote landscapes that many visitors miss. Rather than a rigid itinerary, the guide provides narrative context, route progression and flexible time-based planning ideas so you can adapt the journey around weather, ferry connections and travel pace. With 12 months access included, you can start planning well before your trip and return to the guide whenever you need.

$20.39

Orkney Minibus Tour

Discover Orkney's ancient history, stunning scenery, and hidden gems on a private tour tailored to your interests. Visit iconic sites such as the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness while enjoying local knowledge, comfortable transport, and plenty of photo opportunities. Perfect for cruise visitors and travellers wanting a personalised island experience.