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The fishing port developed close to the northern most tip of the county and mainland Scotland. Pict clans originally settled the area and remained for thousands of years until the Vikings invaded in the 10th century. The name Thurso comes from the Norse language and means “Bull’s River.” Gilbert, bishop of Caithness, constructed a church dedicated to St. Peter in 1220. The building served as a courthouse and prison in the 1700s before abandonment a century later. The Norse ruled a large part of the county until agreeing to relinquish the lands to the native Scots in 1266. The Norman Sinclair family arrived and remained a dominating influence.
In 1330, the king was so impressed by the methods of weight and measure used by Thurso, and the County of Caithness, he declared the techniques standard for the rest of Scotland. The desolate, small settlement relied on farming and fishing for a meager income. Wealthy clan families purchased land in Thuros and built large estates, establishing feudal systems in the 1600s. Thurso received barony burgh status in 1633. Farms grew barley, corn, oats, raised cattle, and sheep. The residents transformed hides into boots and outerwear, while the women used sheep’s wool for spinning into yarn and making broadcloth and blankets. Families used fresh cow’s milk to make butter and cheese, selling the products at the market square.
Tenant farmers and the feudal class paid for public services and taxes using crops, livestock and livestock by-products. Ale breweries evolved into whiskey distilleries. Importing and exporting began. Horses laden with wicker baskets filled with grain or malt, travelled to the port. Grains and cured, salted fish were major exports. Imports included iron and timber. Thurso became the main port for trading with the Scandinavian countries. George Sinclair constructed a tower house castle in 1660. John Sinclair extended the port in 1700s. By the end of the century, Sinclair turned his attention to road construction and improvements. The townspeople and landowners paid for the project.
Potatoes came to Scotland in 1754, but were initially only grown in affluent gardens. By the turn of the decade, tenant farmers introduced the crop into farm fields. The wealth acquired during the Victorian era sparked the planned development of Thurso. Local industries brought many seeking employment. Sir Tollemache Sinclair expanded the tower house castle in the latter quarter of the 1800s. The finished structure resembled a French Chateau. A sea bomb hit the castle during WWII, creating enough structural damage that the family abandoned the site. Thurso underwent additional growth in the 1950s when nearby Dounreay constructed a nuclear plant. Many employed by the plant lived in Thurso.
Activities and Attractions
Many believe Thurso’s Scrabster Port is the second largest whitefish producer in Scotland. Charter companies offer fishing trips and cruises along the coast and to the nearby Ornkey Islands. The inhabited islands have a mix of Celt and Norse cultures. The ancient civilizations left behind many archaeological indications of their existence, attracting many to the islands daily. Visitors enjoy exploring the ceremonial standing stone sites, along with burial cairns and long barrows.
East Thurso is a popular destinaton for surfers from all over the world. Annual world class events began in 2006. The northern swells combined with the southern winds create ample sized barrel waves. Strolling along the coast, it is not unusual to see surfers and kayakers riding the curls.
Standing along the shoreline is the shell of what used to be Thurso Castle. Bombed during the second world war and demolished in the 1950s, the remaining structure is barely a skeleton of its former self. St. Peter’s Kirk, located in the old part of Thurso, also stands in a state of disrepair. Though minus a roof, the remaining walls provide visitors with a glimpse of the elaborate stonework in the arches of the doors and windows. Scanning the exterior closely, guests see hidden within the walls, ancient carved stones. The demolished interior still houses medieval tombs and a large graveyard lies beyond the church itself.
The Thurso Heritage Museum contains a comprehensive collection of the community through the ages. Obtained from the earliest settlements, exhibits include Pictish and Viking relics comprised of ceremonial stones, stones carved with ancient languages and symbols. See household items and tools used by early and medieval people. Artefacts include relics from the ancient churches. Imagine living in the past while gazing at various rooms representing different historical periods. Learn about Sir William Smith, who founded the Boys Brigade, an organization similar to the American Boy Scouts. Explore the history of the clans that developed Thurso and see the ceremonial dirks, kilts and uniforms.
Places To Stay and Dining
Hotels located along the scenic Thurso River lie close to the central part of town, but remain rural enough to offer a more natural setting. See the Thurso Castle illuminated at night, or enjoy pleasant strolls along the river. Modernized facilities are fully equipped to handle business or holiday needs.
The Portland Hotel and Restaurant serves a variety of traditional Scottish and Italian pasta meals. Enjoy four cheese tortelloni topped with a creamy tarragon sauce. Feast on pork medallions, flamed with Cognac, topped with a creamy paprika sauce, and served with potatoes and vegetables.
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