Christmas market planned for Thurso – and New Year dip is back
Thurso's New Year dip is returning for 2022 – and the organisers hope the growing popularity of cold-water swimming will help generate an even bigger turnout than last time.
Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) ran its inaugural New Year Soakin' at the town's beach on the first day of 2020, with more than 130 people taking the plunge. The intention was to make it an annual event but the pandemic meant it couldn't go ahead in January this year.
The dip is one of two festive events announced by the trust this week, the other being the Thurso Christmas Market on the first Saturday of December.
With Covid-19 restrictions having eased, the trust’s fundraising group decided it was time to bring back some festive cheer to the town.
The second New Year Soakin’ will take place at the beach on Saturday, January 1, 2022, from 11am to 1pm, with the participants going into the sea at midday.
Carol Paterson, TCDT treasurer and lead fundraiser, said: “Our first New Year Soakin' was unbelievable – we had more than 130 people entering the sea and had close to 800 spectators. It was amazing.
"We undoubtedly hope there will be an increase in participants due to the fact people are looking for new things to do. There are so many regular cold-water swimmers around now, and with the popularity of the North Coast 500 we expect quite a few tourists as well.
"It’s an event for all the family and we are anticipating a wonderful turnout.”
Those who took part in the 2020 Soakin' ranged from young children to pensioners and more than £2000 was raised towards improving the harbour area.
The Thurso Christmas Market follows on from the successful community market held over the summer season. It will take place on the town’s fun day, Saturday, December 4, from midday to 4pm, at the Olrig Street gardens.
Santa will be in attendance, and there will be activities for children as well as a festive demonstration by North Lands Creative.
"Other community groups will also be selling their festive goodies from stalls," Carol said. "It will be a super day out for all the family."
Anyone interested in signing up for the Soakin' can do so at the Christmas market and on the TCDT website once the event goes live later this month. There will be updates on the trust's Facebook page in the coming weeks.
Carol added: “After everything we’ve all gone through, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have two outdoor events that bring our town back together?”