Local servicesGP surgeryThurso & Halkirk Medical Practice2 surgeries within 2 miles1.6 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi4 schools3 primary, 1 secondaryPrimaryPennyland Primary School1.3 miPrimaryMiller Academy Primary School1.7 miSecondaryThurso High School1.8 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportWick John O'Groats Airport WIC20 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ109 miRailway stationThurso1.7 miFerryScrabster Ferry Terminalunder a mileBus stops15 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW14 postcode district.
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Local Information
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW14 postcode district.
Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 23 min4:04 am – 10:27 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 18 min9:03 am – 3:21 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,894 residentsin the Thurso West census areaMedian age 43.61,337 households68% of homes owner-occupied43% owned outright23% social rented, 8% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.5% unemployment rate59% of adults are economically active, 1,348 in work, 29% retiredMain industries: retail and wholesale 9%, health and social work 9%, energy supply 9%Getting to work: 30% work from home, 53% go by car, 3% take public transport, 14% walk or cycle56% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages26% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 17°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 7°C, lows 1°C982 mm of rain a year, 23 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October39 days of air frost, no summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksCoghill Lochlake · under a mileScrabster Lochlake · under a mileBraes of Holbornheadcliffs · under a mileClettisland · under a mileCreag Bhuidhecliffs · under a mileThurso Baybay · 1.2 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesThurso Golf Clubgolf course · 1.7 mi · 53 haOlrig Street Playing Fieldsplaying field · 1.5 miSir Georges Parksports ground · 1.8 mi · 3 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 1 Jan 202245 mi away, Durness, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 1 Jan 202245 mi away, Durness, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.4 · PM2.5 3.8 · PM10 6.1 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband98% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband100% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)Every premises can get at least 10 Mbit/s (the universal service obligation)1,408 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation18 m59 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 4 to 93 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
