Life around Caithness
Discussion
I moved from Aberdeen to live in Thurso for 6.5 years. I initially went up to do my PhD and ended up liking it so much I stayed for a further 3 years. I have some very good memories of that period in my life.
The key to living in that area is getting out and making the most of the natural environment. I've never been fitter than when I lived up there, between surfing and mountain biking. Although I was young free and single at the time I could see there were plenty of things to do with the kids activity wise.
Winters are grim, summers are long and sunny, 18 degrees is about the best you can hope for, wind is a constant.
Aside from The Captain's Galley in Scrabster there is not much in the way of fine dining. It's a one nightclub town (Skinandis), which is both good and bad. Plenty of pubs. Not sure if the cinema / bowling alley is still open.
If it was still the place I knew from my time there I'd recommend you go without hesitation.
But.
I took a trip up there with my wife as part of a round the coast trip in my Elise and it just didn't feel the same. It really did feel like the town was in decline. I expect the reality of Dounreay's years being numbered is starting to sink in. Only last year I helped with getting a good friend out of Thurso and down to Aberdeen. It feels like most people who can take their skill set elsewhere and relocate are doing so in their droves (If they can sell their house).
If it's relatively short term and you have an exit strategy then go for it. If you are going there for the long term then you'd better go with your eyes wide open. Thurso has one main point of employment, Dounreay, and is being shuttered within the next 10 or so years. How that will affect the town I can't say but I'd expect it to get worse before it gets better.
Despite all of the above, come retirement, a nice house overlooking Dunnet bay would be cracking.
The key to living in that area is getting out and making the most of the natural environment. I've never been fitter than when I lived up there, between surfing and mountain biking. Although I was young free and single at the time I could see there were plenty of things to do with the kids activity wise.
Winters are grim, summers are long and sunny, 18 degrees is about the best you can hope for, wind is a constant.
Aside from The Captain's Galley in Scrabster there is not much in the way of fine dining. It's a one nightclub town (Skinandis), which is both good and bad. Plenty of pubs. Not sure if the cinema / bowling alley is still open.
If it was still the place I knew from my time there I'd recommend you go without hesitation.
But.
I took a trip up there with my wife as part of a round the coast trip in my Elise and it just didn't feel the same. It really did feel like the town was in decline. I expect the reality of Dounreay's years being numbered is starting to sink in. Only last year I helped with getting a good friend out of Thurso and down to Aberdeen. It feels like most people who can take their skill set elsewhere and relocate are doing so in their droves (If they can sell their house).
If it's relatively short term and you have an exit strategy then go for it. If you are going there for the long term then you'd better go with your eyes wide open. Thurso has one main point of employment, Dounreay, and is being shuttered within the next 10 or so years. How that will affect the town I can't say but I'd expect it to get worse before it gets better.
Despite all of the above, come retirement, a nice house overlooking Dunnet bay would be cracking.
I grew up in Thurso, my folks moved there from Glasgow when I was a baby. I left when I was about 20 to start university here in Aberdeen. To be honest, most of my teenage years were spent waiting to get out of there. I couldn't ever see myself moving back now but I do like going up to visit my parents from time to time.
There is a fair bit of history around, being one of the first places the vikings landed in the mainland there's a lot of that sort of stuff. Interesting farming history of you like that sort of thing. Lots of nice places to walk and you're not far from the north-west coast of Scotland, which is worth visiting.
Downsides, well you're a good distance from any sort of city and there's not a huge amount of choice for nightlife and places to eat out. The bowling alley closed down but the cinema is still there I gather. You'll always get charged extra by courier companies because you're in a remote area and you won't have a clue what anyone says to you for the first while at least.
If you do decide to go there then my parents' house is for sale. Just sayin'
There is a fair bit of history around, being one of the first places the vikings landed in the mainland there's a lot of that sort of stuff. Interesting farming history of you like that sort of thing. Lots of nice places to walk and you're not far from the north-west coast of Scotland, which is worth visiting.
Downsides, well you're a good distance from any sort of city and there's not a huge amount of choice for nightlife and places to eat out. The bowling alley closed down but the cinema is still there I gather. You'll always get charged extra by courier companies because you're in a remote area and you won't have a clue what anyone says to you for the first while at least.
If you do decide to go there then my parents' house is for sale. Just sayin'
Thanks for the insight - Im hugely at a loss here as this is well outside the realms of what I know.
The role is at Doun. and is part of the plan to decommission. So I guess I would be there to see that through, then move on again?
Asked to speak more to recruiting manager to understand role and life, before deciding to go up.
The role is at Doun. and is part of the plan to decommission. So I guess I would be there to see that through, then move on again?
Asked to speak more to recruiting manager to understand role and life, before deciding to go up.
"Aside from The Captain's Galley in Scrabster there is not much in the way of fine dining." I don't know about that, I here the Melvich Hotel has new owners and their menu is now excellent, have a look on trip advisor.
To the OP, I went to work for the client on the de-commissioning of Dounray, after 6 months I'd had enough. PM me if you want more details.
G
To the OP, I went to work for the client on the de-commissioning of Dounray, after 6 months I'd had enough. PM me if you want more details.
G
The remote and rural parts have their attractions, but I couldn't live in Caithness. Reason being - it's just too far from a city with Inverness (really just a big town) being the nearest place of any size.
I live in Fort William at the moment. If I have an afternoon off it's 2 hours to Glasgow so not too much to go down for a meal out, wander round the west end and home the same day. To do the same from Caithness would involve too much travel time.
There are other considerations too - no shortage of outdoor activities up there with some of the best surfing to be had, decent mountains, plenty places to mountain bike, bird watching etc.
I'd at least try and get up there for a week to have a good look around.
I live in Fort William at the moment. If I have an afternoon off it's 2 hours to Glasgow so not too much to go down for a meal out, wander round the west end and home the same day. To do the same from Caithness would involve too much travel time.
There are other considerations too - no shortage of outdoor activities up there with some of the best surfing to be had, decent mountains, plenty places to mountain bike, bird watching etc.
I'd at least try and get up there for a week to have a good look around.
I love that area not least because of the salmon and trout fishing, but also because of the scenery.I have family there and it remains a great place to be. But living there I can understand that for those that do not really embrace the wildlife and countryside it can be difficult. I think Caithness is wonderful, my wife thinks its the pits. Horses for courses.
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Close knit community very different from London etc I'd say in a good way. I was born in Thurso and moved daan sarf 40 years ago albeit most of my family still live there. Peaceful up there so don't expect a mad social life! In saying that though the Scots seem quite able to drink their own weight in lager / whiskey ...
TX.
TX.
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