If you’re wondering where to stay in Thurso on the NC500, look for accommodation with easy access to town, space to relax after a day on the road, and convenient parking. Self-catering can be particularly useful for couples, families and groups who want their own kitchen and living space.
Apartment 65B is a centrally located, two-bedroom self-catering apartment in Thurso for up to four guests, with a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi and free street parking.
Key Takeaways
- Thurso is a practical base for exploring the northern section of the North Coast 500 and wider Caithness area.
- Staying centrally gives you convenient access to local shops, restaurants, the river and Thurso Beach.
- Self-catering accommodation gives you more flexibility to cook, eat and relax on your own schedule.
- A two-bedroom apartment can work particularly well for couples, families and friends travelling together.
- Thurso is also a useful base if your Highland itinerary includes a ferry journey from nearby Scrabster to Orkney.
- Apartment 65B provides self-catering accommodation for up to four guests in central Thurso.
Why Stay in Thurso on Your NC500 Trip?
Thurso makes a practical NC500 base because it combines the scenery of Scotland’s far north with the everyday conveniences of a town. It also works well for travellers who want time to explore Caithness or include an Orkney trip via nearby Scrabster.
After hours on Highland roads, having shops, places to eat and other useful amenities nearby can make your stay easier. But Thurso doesn’t have to be somewhere you simply arrive, sleep, and leave the next morning.
Staying for a few days gives you more time to explore the town and surrounding area without packing up and changing accommodation every day. You can enjoy the coastline, spend time around Thurso, and use the town as a base to discover more of Caithness before continuing your NC500 journey.
For travellers heading to Orkney, there is another practical reason to base yourself here. Scrabster Harbour is nearby and serves as a gateway to the islands, making Thurso convenient if a ferry crossing forms part of your wider Highland itinerary.
Apartment 65B has a minimum three-night stay, making it particularly suited to travellers who want to slow the pace of their NC500 journey and explore more of the area. For ideas on what to see while you’re here, explore Thurso and the local area as you plan your stay.
What Should You Look for in NC500 Accommodation in Thurso?
The right NC500 accommodation in Thurso depends on your travel style. For many road-trippers, priorities include a convenient location, parking, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and enough space to unwind. A kitchen can also be useful when you don’t want to eat out after every day on the road.
Thurso offers several places to stay, including hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering accommodation.
Here’s a simple way to compare them:
| Accommodation type | Often suits | Things to consider |
| Hotel | Couples and short stays | Convenient, but usually less private living space |
| B&B | Travellers wanting breakfast included | Meal times and facilities may be less flexible |
| Self-catering apartment | Couples, families and small groups | More space, kitchen facilities and independence |
For an NC500 journey, that flexibility can be valuable.
You might want an early breakfast before setting off, a relaxed evening meal without another restaurant booking, or simply somewhere comfortable to sit together after a long day exploring the Northern Highlands.
A self-catering stay can also make packing and meal planning easier for families and groups.
Why Choose Self-Catering Accommodation in Thurso?
Self-catering accommodation in Thurso gives you control over your schedule. You have somewhere to prepare meals, spend time together and relax privately, which can make it particularly appealing to families, couples and friends travelling the NC500 together.
Road trips rarely run exactly to schedule. You might spend longer at a viewpoint than expected, stop for a coastal walk or arrive later after exploring another part of Caithness. Having your own kitchen means dinner does not always depend on restaurant opening hours or reservations.
Space is another consideration. A hotel room can work perfectly well for a short overnight stop. But when several people are travelling together, having separate bedrooms and a living area can make the evening more comfortable.
That is one reason a two-bedroom apartment in Thurso can make sense for a family or group of up to four. At Apartment 65B, guests have two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi and a living space where everyone can settle in.
More than a place to sleep, it’s a temporary base for this part of your North Coast 500 journey.
Staying in Central Thurso: Why Location Matters
Central Thurso is a convenient choice if you want to park up and have everyday amenities within easy reach. Apartment 65B is centrally located, with Thurso Beach around a 10-minute walk away and the River Thurso around a five-minute walk from the property.
That can be particularly welcome after a day of driving. You can leave the car behind for a while and explore part of the town on foot, take an evening walk by the river or head towards the beach. Shops, supermarkets and places to eat are also close by, helping you stock up before the next section of your NC500 journey.
For road-trippers, parking naturally matters too. Apartment 65B has free street parking, giving guests travelling by car a convenient option during their stay.
The combination of a central location, kitchen facilities and parking makes the apartment a practical base for exploring Thurso, Caithness and the surrounding Northern Highlands.
Where to Stay Near the Scrabster Ferry to Orkney
If you’re planning to combine the NC500 with an Orkney trip, Thurso is a useful place to stay before or after your ferry. Scrabster Harbour is just outside Thurso and offers ferry connections to Orkney, so staying in town lets you combine ferry access with local amenities.
This can make the next morning easier, particularly if you prefer to arrive the day before your crossing rather than make a long drive on your ferry day. It also means your trip does not have to end at the ferry terminal. You can use your stay to explore Thurso and the surrounding Caithness area, then continue towards Orkney or the next section of your Highland itinerary.
For travellers looking for accommodation near the Scrabster ferry, a central Thurso apartment offers another option alongside hotels and B&Bs.
Is Apartment 65B Right for Your NC500 Stay?
Apartment 65B is designed for guests who want the independence of self-catering accommodation in central Thurso. It sleeps up to four guests across two bedrooms and suits couples, families, and friends travelling the North Coast 500 together.
It may be particularly suitable if you want:
- Two bedrooms for a group of up to four guests
- A fully equipped kitchen for self-catering
- A central location in Thurso
- Free street parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Space to relax outside the bedroom
- Convenient access to Thurso Beach and the River Thurso
- A Thurso base for exploring Caithness and the Northern Highlands
For families, having separate sleeping and living areas can make the stay easier. For two couples or friends travelling together, two bedrooms give you more privacy while still allowing you to share one accommodation. And for couples, the extra space gives you somewhere to properly settle in between days on the road.
You can view Apartment 65B and its facilities before deciding whether it suits your itinerary.
Make Thurso Part of Your NC500 Journey
Choosing where to stay in Thurso on the NC500 comes down to what will make this part of your road trip easier and more enjoyable.
If you value a central location, two bedrooms, your own kitchen and the freedom to relax on your own schedule, Apartment 65B offers a practical self-catering base for up to four guests.
Settle in after the drive, explore Thurso and the wider Caithness area, or use the apartment as a comfortable stop before continuing along the North Coast 500 or travelling to Orkney.
Check Apartment 65B availability and book your stay in Thurso.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thurso a good place to stay on the NC500?
Yes. Thurso is on the northern part of the NC500 and gives travellers access to town amenities while providing a useful base for exploring Caithness and the surrounding Northern Highlands.
What type of accommodation is best in Thurso for an NC500 trip?
It depends on your travel style. Hotels and B&Bs work well for traditional overnight stays, while self-catering accommodation gives you a kitchen, more independence and often more shared living space.
Where can four people stay in Thurso?
Apartment 65B is a two-bedroom apartment in Thurso that accommodates up to four guests, making it suitable for families, two couples or friends travelling together.
Can I stay in Thurso before catching the Scrabster ferry?
Yes. Scrabster Harbour is close to Thurso, so the town is a convenient place to stay before or after travelling by ferry to Orkney.
Is there parking at Apartment 65B?
Yes. Free street parking is available, which can be particularly useful for guests travelling the NC500 by car.
Lynn Warren is the owner of Apartment 65B, a self-catering apartment in Thurso, Caithness. She shares practical information to help visitors plan their stay in Thurso and explore the surrounding area, including the North Coast 500 and wider Caithness.