Holburn Head
Walk the headland above Scrabster for open views across the Pentland Firth and Caithness coast.
Caithness · Scotland
Scrabster Ferry & Destination Guide
Plan ferries to and from Scrabster in Scotland, United Kingdom, with route choices, harbour guidance and ideas for the rest of your journey.
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Discover Scrabster
Scrabster is a small harbour settlement on Scotland’s far north coast, best known as the mainland gateway for NorthLink Ferries to Stromness in Orkney.
Scrabster sits just west of Thurso on the Caithness coast, where working harbour activity meets open Pentland Firth views. It is compact, practical and closely tied to the ferry route that links mainland Scotland with Orkney.
The surrounding coastline is the main attraction. Holburn Head and nearby cliffs offer sea views and walking, while the short road east to Dunnet Head reaches the northernmost point of mainland Britain.
Thurso, around a mile and a half away, provides the nearest larger choice of shops, cafés, accommodation and rail connections. Its beach, river mouth and compact centre make it the natural base for many foot passengers using Scrabster.
Caithness is worth exploring in its own right. The Castle of Mey, Dunnet Bay and the dramatic stacks around Duncansby Head can all fit naturally into a North Coast 500 itinerary before or after an Orkney crossing.
The ferry journey is scenic as well as practical. NorthLink’s Scrabster–Stromness route crosses the Pentland Firth and passes the western side of Hoy, giving passengers a memorable view of the Old Man of Hoy in suitable conditions.
Scrabster works best when travel plans allow a margin for northern weather. Road and rail journeys are long, and ferry services can be affected by sea conditions, so build sensible connection time around any fixed onward booking.
City highlights
What to see while you are in Scrabster
Scrabster is a gateway to both Orkney and the wild landscapes of Caithness, with coastal walks and North Coast 500 sights close by.
Thurso
Explore the nearby town, beach and riverfront and use its shops, cafés and rail station.
Dunnet Head
Visit the dramatic cliffs and lighthouse at the northernmost point of mainland Britain.
Castle of Mey
Tour the historic castle and gardens associated with Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Dunnet Bay
Stop at one of the north coast’s finest sandy beaches on the road towards John o’ Groats.
Old Man of Hoy views
Look for the famous sea stack from the ferry route as the ship approaches or leaves Orkney.
Tours & experiences
Things to Do in Scrabster
Browse Caithness, North Coast 500 and northern Scotland experiences to combine with your Scrabster ferry journey.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Arriving or departing by ferry
Scrabster Ferry Terminal
NorthLink Ferries operates the passenger and vehicle route between Scrabster and Stromness in Orkney. The passenger terminal is at Queen Elizabeth Pier, Scrabster, Caithness, KW14 7UW.
The crossing takes around 90 minutes on the standard timetable and can operate up to several times a day depending on the season and day. The route is particularly scenic because it passes the Old Man of Hoy.
NorthLink advises car drivers to check in at least one hour before departure, while check-in closes 30 minutes before sailing. Foot passengers should note that the passenger terminal is on the pier and is separate from the vehicle check-in area.
Passenger portScrabster Ferry Terminal, Queen Elizabeth Pier, Scrabster, Caithness, KW14 7UW, United Kingdom
Main connectionsStromness (Orkney)
OperatorsNorthLink Ferries
VehiclesCars, motorcycles, campervans, caravans, bicycles and foot passengers
Check-inCar drivers are recommended to check in at least 1 hour before departure; check-in closes 30 minutes before sailing
Plan your stay
Getting around Scrabster
Scrabster is small and easy to navigate, but most onward services and accommodation choices are concentrated in nearby Thurso.
Connect through Thurso
Thurso is about 1½ miles from Scrabster and is the nearest centre for shops, accommodation, buses and taxis.
Continue by rail
Thurso station is roughly 2 miles from Scrabster and sits on the Far North Line to Inverness. Find Thurso rail tickets here...
Drive the north coast
Scrabster fits naturally into the North Coast 500. A car makes Dunnet Head, Castle of Mey and the wider Caithness coast much easier to explore.
Stay in Scrabster
Find Scrabster Accommodation
Stay in Scrabster or nearby Thurso
Scrabster is convenient for the ferry itself, while Thurso offers the broader choice of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and onward rail connections.
Common planning questions
Scrabster ferry & destination FAQs
Where is Scrabster Ferry Terminal?
NorthLink Ferries uses Scrabster Ferry Terminal at Queen Elizabeth Pier, Scrabster, Caithness, KW14 7UW.
Where can I sail from Scrabster in 2026?
NorthLink Ferries operates the passenger and vehicle ferry between Scrabster and Stromness in Orkney.
How long is the Scrabster to Stromness ferry?
The standard crossing takes about 90 minutes, although operating conditions can affect actual journey times.
Can I take a car on the Scrabster ferry?
Yes. NorthLink carries cars and other booked vehicle types, as well as bicycles and foot passengers.
How early should I arrive at Scrabster?
NorthLink recommends that car drivers check in at least one hour before departure, and check-in closes 30 minutes before sailing.
Is Scrabster close to Thurso?
Yes. Scrabster is around 1½ miles from Thurso, which has the nearest rail station and a wider choice of shops and accommodation.
What are the best things to do near Scrabster?
Popular nearby sights include Holburn Head, Dunnet Head, Dunnet Bay, the Castle of Mey and the wider North Coast 500 route.
Can I see the Old Man of Hoy from the ferry?
The Scrabster–Stromness route passes the western side of Hoy and is well known for views of the Old Man of Hoy when weather and visibility allow.
Where can you travel from Scrabster?
The route catalogue includes departures towards Stromness. Each direction has its own guide so that you can check the correct starting pier and arrival arrangements. A listed connection may be seasonal, a multi-stop itinerary or a former service; read its service status before making plans.
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Ferries arriving in Scrabster
Stromness to Scrabster
NorthLink Ferries
Reaching the harbour and checking in
Scrabster Harbour is on Scotland’s north coast near Thurso. NorthLink operates dedicated passenger and vehicle facilities for the Stromness route, with check-in opening before each departure.
Pin the precise ferry terminal before travelling to Scrabster. Some towns have separate passenger quays, vehicle terminals and excursion-boat landings. The operator’s address on your confirmation is more useful than a town-centre map pin.
For a car journey, leave a margin for the final approach, queueing and check-in. Without a car, confirm the last part of the journey from the railway station or bus stop. A short map distance may involve port roads or areas closed to pedestrians; use a confirmed transfer or walking route.
Keep your booking reference and required documents accessible. If you need step-free boarding, help with luggage or space for a bicycle, arrange it before the day of travel. Small piers and large vehicle terminals can offer very different facilities.
Building Scrabster into a wider journey
A single island name can hide several different arrival points. Bute has Rothesay and Rhubodach; Mull has Craignure, Fishnish and Tobermory; Hoy has Lyness and Moaness. A route that works well with a car may be awkward without one. Use the named ports to judge the full journey, rather than choosing solely by the shortest crossing.
Check your arrival time against accommodation check-in and the next transport service. If this is an island stay, organise the return ferry before fixing a mainland flight or a long-distance train. The outward and return ports do not have to be the same, but separate tickets can have different conditions.
Official sailing information
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