Thurso Car Hire

Find the best deals in Thurso

With a massive choice from the biggest brands, Enjoy the best way to find the best prices for car hire in Thurso.

  • Huge choice of cars to suit every budget
  • Save up to 70% compared to buying on the day
  • 10 years experience in car hire

Compare car hire in Thurso

Thurso, the county seat of Caithness, is located in the far north of Scotland. It has earned its place as a top attraction along Scotland's North Coast 500, a route that showcases the country's most beautiful sights over the course of 500 miles. There are many reasons to visit Thurso, including its stunning location on the Pentland Firth and proximity to Orkney, its rich history, and its thriving restaurant and bar scenes. Thurso served as a significant hub for both the tanning and linen cloth industries during the Norse occupation of northern Scotland. The historic core of the city now boasts a plethora of charming boutiques, eateries, and watering holes. For a seamless trip, book your Thurso car hire in advance with Enjoy Travel for the best deals!

Guide of Thurso

Geography

A town and burgh in its own right, Thurso is located on the coast of the Highland council area in northern Scotland. Located in the ancient County of Caithness, it is also the most northern settlement in all of Great Britain. This large town serves as a convenient home base for tourists interested in discovering the rich history, unique geology, and abundant flora and fauna of Caithness and Sutherland. Thurso is over 800 kilometres (over 500 miles) from London.

Climate in Thurso

The climate in Thurso, which is influenced by the ocean, is cool and wet, not unlike that of the Scottish Highlands. In addition to being brisk even in the summer, the ocean's surface temperature rarely rises above sixty ℉ offshore. Short, cool, and windy summers are the norm in Thurso, while long, very cold, wet, and extremely windy winters are the norm. Temperatures rarely drop below 28 ℉ or rise above 66 ℉ over the course of a year. From about the middle of July to the end of August, Thurso is at its most pleasant temperature-wise, making that time of year ideal for outdoor activities.

Culture

Settlers first arrived in the Thurso area at least 5 000 years ago. As a significant commerce port, ships travelled between Thurso and the rest of northern Europe throughout the early medieval era, when the Norse had the region under their control. In 1330, King David II established the Thurso unit of weight as the standard weight for all of Scotland, attesting to the city's prominence as a commercial hub.

Things To Do in Thurso

Go fossil-exploring with kids at Thurso beach

The rocky shoreline of Thurso is well-known for its abundance of fish carcasses and scales. There are also whole fish and fish with teeth. Any of the beachfront platforms, the cliff face, or smaller rocks may contain fossils. The rocks are quite rough, and the shoreline may be slippery, so do exercise caution. If you like to catch waves, you might be glad to hear that Thurso becomes a premier surfing destination in the winter and spring!

Visit the Castle of Mey

From 1952 until 1996, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother owned the Castle of Mey, which she graciously gave to the Trust. The construction and furnishing of the castle are intriguing in and of itself; there are also helpful guides and historical signs to point the way. It's also worth visiting the grounds, which are beautiful and provide plenty of picture ops. The new Animal Centre on the premises is a must-visit. It is housed in the renovated granary, and is a hit among young and old alike. You’ll see animals being given excellent care in a warm and friendly setting. Some of the animals may be handled by visitors (under supervision, of course), making for a fun and instructive experience for everybody.

Explore the Tomb of the Eagles

Temple of the Eagles refers to the Isbister Chambered Cairn, an underground Stone Age tomb that was filled with animal remains, including eagle heads and bones. Crawling the three meters of the entry into the Tomb is the fastest alternative due to its narrow width (70 cm) and height (85 cm), however, a trolley is also available. From inside, you'll see that the ceiling is an impressive 3 meters in height, with plenty of skylights to illuminate the room. A well-marked trail leads visitors from the visitor centre to the tomb through a nearby Bronze Age site. The Visitors Center provides a one-of-a-kind interactive experience by allowing guests to view and touch authentic artefacts from the sites themselves. During the peak tourist season, there are presentations every day. Aside from selling souvenirs, the gift store also offers beverages including hot beverages and ice cream.

Eating Out in Thurso

Restaurants in Thurso dish out delicious meals made from local ingredients. Here are some of our top picks for eating out in Thurso. Scrabster Seafood Bar and Takeaway has seen rapid expansion in recent months; it is the sibling restaurant of the critically acclaimed Captain's Galley. Offering both takeout and table service, boasting a sustainable and local food ethos, and featuring a chef with multiple culinary awards, Jim Cowie, you can rest assured that the seafood you order will be as fresh as it gets. The tapas meals of Capilla, which give a flavour of the Mediterranean, have made the restaurant a favourite amongst local diners. They have heaters on the outside patio, so you may sip Sangria and snack on tapas till closing time. There's also a takeout option, but you'd better hurry before the neighbourhood regulars fill up all the spots! Similarly, with blankets and heaters, the Holborn Hotel's outdoor dining area is a wonderful place to experience the laid-back, friendly atmosphere of Thurso. The Holborn Hotel is known for serving excellent fresh seafood, and their dirty fries have a stellar reputation. They also offer fan favourites like lobster and Shetland mussels.

Transport

Airport

Wick (WIC) Airport is the closest airport, and it is located 29.5 miles from Thurso.

Getting Around Thurso

Thurso has both rail and bus connections to the rest of Scotland. ScotRail oversees the Thurso Rail Station and is responsible for running all trains to and from the station. A lot of people also opt to hire a car in Thurso due to the flexibility and convenience it offers.

Got a Question? Chat with our UK support team

Online chat help is open 08:30am to 17:00 weekdays. Email: [email protected]

ENJOY FAIR FUEL POLICY

FAQs about car hire in Thurso

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Thurso

Car hiring prices in Thurso start at £20.89 per day.
Evis, Thrifty and Keddy are one of the most popular car hire companies in Thurso.
The driving distance between Thurso and Edinburgh is around 183 miles.
The average price of a litre of fuel in Thurso can vary between £1.30 and £1.10.
The budget friendly choices between small cars in Thurso start at £133 for a week, which is about £19 per day.
The most affordable car hire options in Thurso for an entire month go for £540, or £18 per day.
The best time to travel to Thurso is from mid July to late August.
Old St Peter's Church is the best spot to start exploring Thurso.

Enter your email address for the latest discount codes and special offers across car hire, holiday accomodation and much more!

Get the latest travel news and offers
Thanks for signing up