Location: Thurso
Top Things to do in Thurso
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Top 10 Things to do in Thurso, United Kingdom (UK)
Thurso (pronounced /ˈθɜːrsoʊ/, Scots: Thursa, Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Theòrsa [ˈiɲɪɾʲ ˈhjɔːrsə]) is a town and former burgh on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. Situated in the historical area of Caithness, it is the northernmost town on the British mainland.
Restaurants in Thurso
1. The Castle and Gardens of Mey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 687 reviews
Opening times for The Castle and Gardens of Mey in 2018 will be from 1st May to 30th September inclusive, but will be closed from 25th July to 7th August inclusive. Please check our website for updates.
Reviewed By Melanie C - Perth, United Kingdom
If you are staying in Caithness or doing the North Coast 500 this gem of a castle is well worth stopping off for.
The castle tours are a brilliant insight into the life of the Queen Mother and the Royal family. The staff are lovely and show so much enthusiasm for the castle, it's grounds and the surrounding area.
I visited in July and saw the Gardens in bloom and it really was quite something.
The small animal centre in the grounds is worth a peek too.
The on site cafe sells good quality food and coffee and cakes too.
2. Castle Hill Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Val A - Thurso, United Kingdom
If yoy have a bit of time on your hands and fancy a bit of local history this is just the place to visit. Local history, interesting displays - needlework, computers -all sorts of really memory jogging artifacts.
3. Holburn Head Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By FredPurdue - Seattle, Washington
The lighthouse built in 1862 by the family of Robert Louis Stevenson is the first stop in a walk to Holborn Head and vistas of offshore seastacks, other geological formations, and birds galore. You will also pass a memorial cairn celebrating those Scotsmen who went to war and did not return. Note that the Lighthouse is a private home.
4. Caithness Horizons Museumand Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Caithness Horizons is a Museum in Thurso. The collections cover three floors and cover the history of Caithness as well as focusing on four main areas; Picts, Vikings, Robert Dick (local baker and botanist) and the Dounreay Nuclear Research Establishment. We're also home to a cafe, gift shop, temporary exhibition gallery and the VisitScotland Thurso office.
Reviewed By drpetembe - Wickham Market
We had planned to visit anyway, but thanks to hurricane Ophelia, we came earlier. Parking right outside, and morning coffee/scone in the cafe to start. Then the museum. Well laid out, a lot about Dounreay nuclear power (I guess they provided finance and decommissioned “bits”). Also lots of other pieces about local nature, archeology etc. A superb film of the locality, suggesting places to visit, all well labelled, usually (rightly) Gaelic first. A lift to access the higher levels, very clean toilets. Lunch in the cafe with soup and a cake (sandwiches/paninis also available) with friendly staff all round. A very enjoyable visit
5. Dunnet Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 651 reviews
Promoting the north of Scotland. We have a wealth of knowledge about the walking, wildlife and general information about the North. Dunnet Head is the focal point of the North Highland Way.
Reviewed By Gael999 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Hotel had been recently refurbished so everything was fresh and clean. Location is ideal for going to the northern most point of the Mainland and just a few miles from John O'Groats. Food in the bar was excellent, especially the seafood. Definitely worth a visit.
6. Caithness Wildlife Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 42 reviews
Discover the wildlife and sights on the North Coast 500 route in northern Scotland. We offer personalised Wildlife Tours and Sightseeing in Caithness for small groups of up to eight people. Spend a couple of hours or a whole day with us. We are based near Dunnet Head, on the north coast of Scotland, between Thurso and John o’ Groats. Private and group guided tours in our luxury minibus include: Puffin Tours, Bird watching, Wildlife Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Historical Tours, Tailor-made Tours, Half-day and full-day tours.
Reviewed By Somerset Waterw... D
Met our tour guide Kate and another party for a puffin trip to Dunnet head. Got some great shots of puffins on the cliffs and also saw an amazing fight between the kittiwakes and a skua rhat was trying to attack the chicks. Really enjoyable...MoreFantastic photos Claire, and thanks. Puffins with fish shots are hard to get at Dunnet, but it was certainly a great afternoon for all sorts of bird action, hopefully worth your drive to the far north :-)
7. Thurso VisitScotland Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By CornwallDolly - Cornwall
We popped in for information on things to do and see within a 20 mile radius. Cathy was extremely knowledgable and helpful. I would highly recommend coming here for advice and inspiration
8. Wolfburn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By BenTessa
Two of us arrived for the tour which are held at 2pm. We were shown round the distillery by Ian. The distillery is only a few years old but is based on the site of the historical distillery of the same name. Wolfburn referring to the burn (small stream) which supplies the distillery. The distillery is run on a small scale and whilst it is a modern distillery, there is very much an ethos of using traditional hands on methods and not rushing the various production processes. It is also a unique opportunity to learn how a new distillery is started from nothing, really interesting story.
Ian was very knowledgeable and able to answer our many questions and was a unique opportunity for us to ask very specific questions about the process and how they impact on the final product. This was by far the best tour we had ever been on and we were not rushed around at all, despite the small group.
The highlight of the tour was the barrel warehouse - the smell was incredible! Ian talked through the various barrel sizes and types, their characteristics and how their products were produced from these. It was fascinating to hear about some of the special casks / bottling available / planned.
The tour ended with a dram of both their core whiskies - Northland (slightly peated) and Aurora (some maturation in sherry casks). It's a really nice product with an opportunity to buy afterwards. We came away with something a bit special which tastes amazing is a great souvenir and reminder of our visit.
When we visited it was the traditional summer shut down so there was no whisky being produced at the time - this didn't detract from the experience but we will definately be back when the operation is in full swing!
Overall I would really recommend this tour - don't be put off that it is a modern distillery. The methods are traditional and there is clearly a real passion for producing quality whisky on a small scale. I really look forward to seeing how the product develops over the next few years.
9. Old St Peter's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Derek H - Freckleton, United Kingdom
The ruins of the original St Peter's Church in the old part of Thurso should not be missed. Parts of it date back to early 1100's and it was expanded and developed through seven centuries before it was abandoned in 1832 on completion of the "new" church. Lots of gravestones to explore and the largest window carved from a single piece of stone in Great Britain.
10. Merlin Cinema Thurso
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
The Thurso Cinema in Caithness, is the UK mainland's most northerly entertainment venue. It re-opened in July 2012 after a successful public campaign. The cinema has two screens - 152 and 88 seats a-piece. Customers can enjoy the latest Sony 4K digital projection,Dolby 7:1 sound technology and 3D. The Bar & Kitchen is now open.
Reviewed By Alan H - Warrington, United Kingdom
My wife and I was visiting family and wanted to go to the cinema, on arrival we found the venue to be quite small about 3 screens. The staff were very welcoming and we were very surprised with the ticket cost which was only £15 entry which was excellent value, we had been to our local cinema the week before and paid £26 in Warrington.
Inside the cinema was very clean with good Seating, as well as the film you could also dine, which we did not do. But it looked ok and my sister in law said that the food is good. So top tip if your in Thurso go to the cinema as its one of the few things to do in that area. Well worth a visit
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