Community spirit praised as Scrabster reports a record year for cruise ships
Meet-and-greet volunteers have played their part in a record-breaking year for cruise ships docking at Scrabster harbour, with tourists praising Thurso as "a lovely town to visit".
Shops, community groups and a local church also helped to provide a warm welcome throughout the summer and Venture North, the destination management organisation for tourism in Caithness and Sutherland, is already looking ahead to 2024.
Between May and September, Scrabster received a total vessel tonnage of 546,087 tonnes, containing an overall total of 10,026 passengers on 16 ships, making it a record year for the port.
Tanya Sutherland, board director of Scrabster Harbour Trust and Venture North, and coordinator of local meet-and-greet volunteers, said: “The community spirit has been incredible.
"The feedback that we’ve had from passengers visiting Thurso is that they like seeing independent shops and that Thurso is a lovely town to visit.
"Some shops have made a special effort to open on Sundays, which is greatly appreciated. A WhatsApp group to connect shop owners in Thurso has been initiated and we welcome more to join this.
"We’re already looking forward to next year’s cruise ship season and welcome others that wish to join the meet-and-greet volunteer team."
On arrival, some passengers are taken to booked tour packages at attractions across the county, including the Castle of Mey, Pulteney Distillery and Wick Heritage Museum.
Other passengers along with crew members are transported by the trust’s courtesy shuttle bus service to Thurso riverside, where a team of 10 volunteers working on a rota welcome them and signpost them to local attractions, shops and amenities.
Hilary McGlasson, a member of the volunteer team, designed and printed a welcome leaflet for passengers that includes a map and details of shops and eateries.
The volunteers were provided with tabards to help visibility, and these have been funded by Venture North. Groups of Dounreay apprentices and graduates have bolstered the volunteer team.
Dounreay apprentice training manager Carol Robertson said: “It has been a great opportunity for some of our young people to be involved in supporting Venture North and Scrabster Harbour Trust welcoming visitors to our area.
"We encourage and support those on our early careers programmes to participate in community projects, and being able to help with this over the summer months has been both a learning experience for them and has benefited the wider community.”
Craft North hosted a trial precinct market earlier this month, with support from Thurso Community Development Trust and local volunteers who responded to an appeal for help in setting up gazebos.
Yvonne Rathbone, a member of the organising team, said: “We believed that one exciting way to enhance the cruise ship experience and boost the local economy was by setting up our precinct market. It not only boosts the local economy but also enriches the cultural experience for tourists, fosters community engagement and supports local businesses.
"We have been thrilled by the success and feedback received from locals and visitors, spurring us on to plan markets in the future.”
Passengers arriving on the Viking Mars in August were taken to John O’Groats for traditional entertainment including Highland dancing, music and story walks, along with market stalls. The event was organised by John O’Groats Development Trust working in collaboration with local businesses and the shoreside operator Excursions Ltd.
St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church of Scotland in Thurso opened its doors throughout the summer, with personalised TV screens to welcome ship passengers. Members of the congregation were on hand to meet and chat with visitors.
An information booklet about the church has been translated into six languages.
The Rev David Malcolm, minister of St Peter’s and St Andrew’s, said: “This was our first year of welcoming cruise ship passengers to the church. As well as a warm welcome, we offer a quiet space for guests to reflect and pray if they wish to.
"It has been a huge success, with visitors in their hundreds coming in each time.”
Thurso’s Scout hut provides toilet access and a dry meeting location for volunteers and guests in case of wet weather, while at nearby Old Peter’s Kirk volunteers welcome visitors to the church ruins and share the history of the site.
Cathy Earnshaw, destination strategy manager for Venture North, said: “I am delighted to see the ambition and energy in making the most of the increased cruise ship visits to Scrabster harbour.
"Scrabster Harbour Trust hosted an excellent cruise ship summit in December 2022 for attractions, organisations and businesses. The summit also recognised the value of community and volunteer input.
"By working together and managing tourism responsibly, I can see many more opportunities in the coming years from this sector that will be a boost for locals and visitors alike.”
The £18.9 million redevelopment of Scrabster's St Ola pier, officially opened at the end of 2021, is helping the port to attract more cruise ship business as well as offshore energy vessels.
The pier offers a total of 500 metres of deep-water berthing, with an outer berthing face capable of accommodating vessels of up to 250 metres in length.
Harbour trust manager Sandy Mackie said: “The 2023 cruise season has been very promising. This summer’s success is due to the hard work of many.
"Great credit is due to our harbour master Jason Hamilton for the management, coordination and promotion of cruise activities.
"The trust is grateful to our partners, volunteers, local businesses and the community for their efforts and support. It is encouraging to see the community embracing the cruise opportunity.
"The challenge will be to sustain the growth and where possible improve the cruise experience for future years.”
An independent report estimated that in 2019 cruise tourism in Scotland accounted for 4.3 per cent of overnight tourist visits and £40.6 million spent directly onshore by cruise passengers and crew.