Campsites in Thurso, Highlands and Islands

2 bookable campsites within 15 miles of Thurso Sorted by distance

Why visit Thurso?

It’s a handy base for exploring northern Scotland

The most northerly town on the Scottish mainland, Thurso is on Caithness’s section of the scenic North Coast 500 coastal drive. Camp overnight around Thurso as you pass through, or stay awhile and use it as a base to explore the northern Highlands. You can tour the gorgeously wild Caithness coastline too, including a circular drive that takes in Wick, the sheer cliffs at Dunnet Head and John O’Groats. Thurso is also a clever overnight stop if you’re catching the 90-minute ferry from Scrabster to Stromness on Orkney. Once there, Pitchup has campsites on Orkney too. 

There’s loads of birdlife 

Their vivid orange beaks and big eyes make puffins some of the most loved birds in the UK – and Thurso is a great place to see them; they can be spotted between May and August in colonies nesting on steep cliffsides around RSPB Dunnet Head, along with other seabirds like guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. Inland, you may spot elusive golden eagles soaring in the thermals, as well as plovers and curlews on the peaty local moorlands.

It’s Scotland’s surfing central

Host of many international surfing competitions, Thurso East is a fast reef break with big, heavy barrelling Atlantic surf. The prime surfing season in Thurso – fast becoming the Newquay of the north – is between October and April (wetsuits are essential in winter) but it’s pretty consistent all year around, attracting keen surfers from across the world. Novices can hire gear and take lessons at North Shore Surf Club, and there’s also surfing at Brims Ness, further west along the coastline. 

Essential things to do at Thurso

  • Follow the coastal path from Thurso around the bay to the pretty harbour at Scrabster, taking in clifftop beaches and rocky coves

  • Learn the backstory of Dounreay nuclear power station at exhibitions in the North Coast Visitor Centre

  • Discover the clifftop folly of Harold’s Tower, built in the 18th century and reputedly the mausoleum of the aristocratic Sinclair family

  • Explore Things Va, site of a 2,000-year old ruined broch (Iron Age defence castle) and former Viking parliament

  • Wander Fisher Biggins, the oldest part of the town where fishermen traditionally lived in stone houses on Shore Street 

Exploring around Thurso

The Castle and Gardens of Mey

Sneak a glimpse into the life of British royalty at the former home of the Queen Mother, just 20 minutes’ drive from Thurso. This turreted late 16th-century castle has outstanding views across the Pentland Firth and is open to the public in summer months for guided tours of sumptuous apartments. There’s a walled garden to wander around too, along with an animal centre where kids can meet the cute donkeys and cuddly rabbits.

Salmon fishing in Helmsdale 

Keen anglers can fish for Atlantic salmon on the River Helmsdale during the open season between January 11 and the end of September. Widely regarded as the best salmon river in northern Scotland, it is strictly fly fishing only, and family day tickets are available. You can also catch sea trout towards the mouth of the river, where it joins the Moray Firth and North Sea. 

John O’Groats

Sitting on the northernmost tip of Scotland and famous as the starting (or finishing) point of charity walks and bike rides, John O'Groats is a popular stop on the NC500 tourist trail. Drop into the art gallery, take a stroll along the headland and take a selfie at the iconic John O’Groats sign, or board a boat for cruises out onto the Pentland Firth to look out for grey seals, minke whales and dolphins in the surrounding waters.

Here’s how

Pitchup has a choice of campsites around Thurso, including simple budget-friendly farm pitches and cosy wooden pods where you can keep warm whatever the weather. To find a site that matches your needs, use the tick-box filters on our booking page and you'll see a list of sites that should be suitable for your Thurso camping break. 

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Visiting out of season? Look for Thurso campsites that are open all year. 

Still not quite sure if Thurso is the right spot for you? We’ve got lots of advice in our guide to camping in Scotland, and plenty more campsites around Scotland so you can build the camping holiday that's just right for you.

 

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