Scrabster is the most northerly large port in mainland Britain and can be found a mile and a half north-west of the centre of Thurso at the west end of Thurso Bay. It nestles in the shelter of Holborn Head and looks east across Thurso Bay towards Dunnet Head. Tt serves as the main ferry terminus for Orkney. The origins of Scrabster date back to the Norse era, as such an obvious natural harbour would have been very attractive to Viking longships.