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Police investigating Thurso garden where ‘human bones’ found





Speculation is rife in the county after a picture was shared on social media with what appears to be human bones discovered at a property near Thurso.

The image shows a jumble of bones under a back garden patio that contractors had been in the process of demolishing this week at a house overlooking Scrabster.

The image shared on social media shows bones that were dug up at the property.
The image shared on social media shows bones that were dug up at the property.
A possible forensic specialist was seen analysing the site on Friday afternoon. Picture: DGS
A possible forensic specialist was seen analysing the site on Friday afternoon. Picture: DGS

A local man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the bones appeared to have been “shoved under the house“, and some were mixed with cement used to create the foundations of the patio that had been erected decades ago.

Many theories were shared on social media as to how the bones got there until we contacted Police Scotland for an explanation.

This afternoon (October 17), a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 4.20pm on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, police were called to an address in Scrabster, Thurso, where bones had been discovered during building work.

Police vehicle at the area where the bones were discovered. Picture: DGS
Police vehicle at the area where the bones were discovered. Picture: DGS
Police vehicle at the site where work has been going on to remove a patio from the back of a house.
Police vehicle at the site where work has been going on to remove a patio from the back of a house.

“The bones were found to be historic and no criminality was established.”

There are believed to be historic graves in the same area from sailors who perished at sea, and in the mid-19th century, a mass burial was discovered close by with the remains of men who may have died in a clan battle. It was also said there was a fever hospital situated in the area.

A woman at the site said that the bones were being taken away for further analysis.

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