|
Scrabster is a small Port Village 112 miles
north of Inverness, on the north coast of
Scotland, 2 miles northwest of Thurso.
Scrabster is popular for the large Northlink Ferry that
runs to the Orkney Islands, 90 minute crossing,
long beach, Diners with views over the Harbour,
and 5 mile Walking Route around Holborn Head
with a Lighthouse, Sea Stacks, and Caves.
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click on Map for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top is from the main road down
into Scrabster, looking over the long Beach and
Harbour.
The image second top is of the Northlink
Ferry that runs two or three times per day
between Scrabster and Stromness on Orkney, second
largest town after Kirkwall.
Stromness and Kirkwall are 14 miles apart.
The Ferry Inn is on
the Main Street with the Restaurant having good
views over the Harbour.
The Captains Galley
Seafood Restaurant is also on the Main Street
by the Harbour.
Scrabster History
875 - the Orkney Islands were taken over by
Norse / Vikings. The Vikings then began trying
to take control of areas on Mainland
Scotland.
1140s? - the Bishop of Caithness had a
Castle built at Scrabster to serve as his
Secure Residence.
1201 - the Norse Earl of Orkney, Harald
Maddadson, tortured a Bishop at Scrabster
Castle, forcing the Bishop to relocate to
Halkirk 9 miles south.
1472 - King James III of Scotland gained
control of Orkney through a Land Deal with
the Norse.
1544 - the Sinclairs, Earls of Caithness,
gained control of Scrabster Castle.
1726 - Scrabster
Castle was noted as being in Ruin, very
little remains.
1820 - the first Pier at Scrabster was built
at a time the first Steam Powered Boats began
operating around Scotland.
1834 - Scrabster House was built high above
the Harbour.
1841 - the Scrabster Harbour Trust was
formed, leading to the Harbour being used by
Ships from Mainland Ports such as Aberdeen,
Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
1856 - the first known regular Ferry Service
between Scrabster and Stromness was founded by
John Stanger.
1862 - Holborn Head Lighthouse was built to
help Guide Ships into Scrabster.
1874 - the Highland Railway reached Thurso,
leading to the Ferries also serving as Royal
Mail Ships.
1970s - the St Ola Pier was built for Roll
On Roll Off Ferries.
1990s - the Fish Market at Scrabster was
enlarged with Fishing Boats from around Europe
landing their catches.
2002 - the new Queen Elizabeth Quay was
built for the larger Northlink Ferry
that began running between Scrabster and
Stromness.
|
