Wick or Thurso

[8ace]

I'm planning a trip on the Far North line in the first week of August, catching 1041 from INV and returning on the 1600/1632.
Am I better off alighting in Thurso for 2 hours or Wick for 1 hour? I wouldn't really need to do much just, stretch my legs, grab a sandwich from a shop and maybe a pint or two time permitting.

 

[Johnnie2Sheds]

Last time I did that line, I bailed at Wick for a bus to Thurso to get both branches in. I think it was about 1980. That would be my move.

 

[Gloster]

Nowadays the trains go up to Georgemas, in to Thurso, back to Georgemas and then on to Wick, so if you stop in Thurso you don’t get to travel Georgemas-Wick. If you do go through to Wick it might be prudent to carry some emergency supplies in case the train is late getting to Wick and you don’t have time to restock.

There was an excellent chippy near Wick station, but that was around 1981, so I can’t guarantee that it is still there. Very enjoyable in the days of the three train service: up to Thurso, bus to Wick, fish and chips and then the return.

 

[Meole]

There is a Coop near Wick station, a pity not to do both termini, sitting on the right going up you should see seals on the beach towards Helmsdale.

 

[156401]

There was a Wetherspoons at Wick in 2020 right in the middle of town if a cheaper pint is your thing. Presume it is still there. Don’t believe Thurso has one but it has been a while since I was there.

 

[hexagon789]

There was a Wetherspoons at Wick in 2020 right in the middle of town if a cheaper pint is your thing. Presume it is still there. Don’t believe Thurso has one but it has been a while since I was there.

Closed in 2022 and now a locally run bar & restaurant.

Was one of a few Scottish closures around that time.

 

[185143]

There was a Wetherspoons at Wick in 2020 right in the middle of town if a cheaper pint is your thing. Presume it is still there. Don’t believe Thurso has one but it has been a while since I was there.

Thurso doesn't have a 'Spoons but there are plenty of pubs and places to eat, as well as a Tesco.

The 'Spoons in Wick is now an independent pub. Seems a shame to go all that way and not do the Wick branch tbh.

 

[Western Sunset]

When I did the route in 1971, it was either/or; not both. So consequently I went to Wick as it was further...

 

[8ace]

Thanks for all the replies, definitely gonna do Wick then. I'm quite indifferent to Spoons - a nice cold pint of the big red T will do me
From google maps there is a chippy but it appears to do chicken as well as kebabs so I may swerve it.
I find those types of establishment that try to do everything usually end up doing nothing particularly well. The co-op should be fine for my needs

 

[Rescars]

IIRC c1980 there was a rather good deli with a cheese counter in Thurso. It's probably long since gone. I can't recall what cheeses we bought, but they were very good though quite pungent. Shortly after we opened them we found we had our compartment to ourselves!

 

[xotGD]

If you don't want to do the Thurso branch twice, you could always bale at Georgemas Jn on the return journey for an extra leg stretch and wait for the train to return from Thurso.

 

[BrianW]

Thanks for all the replies, definitely gonna do Wick then. I'm quite indifferent to Spoons - a nice cold pint of the big red T will do me
From google maps there is a chippy but it appears to do chicken as well as kebabs so I may swerve it.
I find those types of establishment that try to do everything usually end up doing nothing particularly well. The co-op should be fine for my needs

Well you seem to make your mind up fairly readily- fewer than a dozen replies! And without the 'cheese recommendation' or my thoughts!!
I'm glad you have looked at Google maps,which give a good feel for walking around.
I did both Wick and Thurso a few years back. My 'plans'were somewhat ''disrupted'by a frieght derailment-much/most of the line is single track, so I had to return to Inverness and start the next day from there. I was using the great value 'rover' ticket- I forget what it's called.
Consider the timetable in your planning, including whether you wish to include a bus to/from John O'Groats. All can be found on the web. The seaward views from Thurso and Wick met my 'needs' in that regard.
IIRC I preferred the comparative 'gentility' of the 'planned town' of Thurso over the comparative busyness (and traffic?) of Wick.
Wetherspons had gone already when I went.
Enjoy; I did.

 

[30907]

I did exactly that journey on Saturday last, and went to Wick. There wasn't a suitable bus for that option to work, nor to do the highly scenic coast road back to Helmsdale (which I did nearlyv50 years ago!).

Googlemaps showed two establishments in the newer part of town (by the harbour - all planned by Thomas Telford, which I didn't know); one, the kitchen had just closed but their cakes were good, the other an interesting chippy on the quayside which I recommend (though sitting out was chilly.

 

[NB5025]

Wick is the one if you want to travel the whole line. I slightly prefer Thurso as a place, but you wouldn't be there long anyway. Both stations are very similar, but its worth getting off at Thurso for a couple of minutes (literally so you don't miss the train!) to view the various train related artifacts in the station.

 

[Statto]

If you have the time to do it, get off at Thurso & catch the Stagecoach North Scotland 80 to Wick (might have to do it the other way around) which goes via John O Groats the bus takes around 80 minutes, then train back from Wick.

The bus in that part of the World is now part of the £2 single fare cap isn't it?

 

[30907]

The bus in that part of the World is now part of the £2 single fare cap isn't it?

Yes.

 

[AdamWW]

When I did the route in 1971, it was either/or; not both. So consequently I went to Wick as it was further...

I did Thurso as it was further North. It wasn't in 1971 but it was back when you had to pick one or the other.

Wick seemed more popular for those just doing the trip for the sake of it but I liked the idea of going from the northernmost to the southernmost station in the UK.

 

[xotGD]

On my first Freedom of Scotland we went to Thurso one day, and Wick a few days later.

Heading to Thurso got a second 37 for haulage, working the portion.

 

[ScotsRail]

Wick has the worlds shortest street, from memory its not that far from the station.

Won't take long to walk it!!

 

[Sealink]

I'm planning a trip on the Far North line in the first week of August, catching 1041 from INV and returning on the 1600/1632.
Am I better off alighting in Thurso for 2 hours or Wick for 1 hour? I wouldn't really need to do much just, stretch my legs, grab a sandwich from a shop and maybe a pint or two time permitting.

Having lived in Wick for many years it is a shadow of it's former self, although it does have an excellent Heritage Museum and the harbour area is nice. Thurso is a nice little town with a great beach. For completeness sake you should do Wick.

Thankfully plenty of buses between the two places with Stagecoach (80, 82, X99) and Ember.

 

[Sealink]

Wick has the worlds shortest street, from memory its not that far from the station.

Won't take long to walk it!!

Indeed!

The walk from the station is 182 times the length of Ebenezer Place!

 

[BrianW]

It's coming back to me- I must have had a while in both. Right outside Thurso Station is Lovers Lane (!) which leads down to a riverside park. There's a park shelter (where I had my Scotch Egg) and a rlovely peaceful riverside walk to a pedestrian bridge over the river with a salmon pool.In ther other direction is the rivermouth/ sea with a fish shop (not chippy?) the remains of an old kirk and a wide deserted beach ... There's a touristwebsite: https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/caithness-blog/ten-places-to-visit-in-thurso

 

[8ace]

Great info thanks for all the replies
Particularly love the ones I went there but it was 30/40/50 years ago (I’m guilty of that myself at times too lol). @BrianW I am very partial to a bit of cheese myself, not the strong stuff like Stilton and Gorgonzola though. Some nice orange Orkney cheddar will do me. Has to be Wick so I can “yellow pen” the whole line. Gonna go up to Oban as well and Wemyss bay and the ferry. Gonna get Scotland rover ticket. Probably not going to re-attempt my failed Skye day trip from last year though.

Kyle of Lochalsh To Mallaig via Skye

Is it possible to do this in a day from Inverness/Glasgow? The other way round is fine as well. Would be looking at the first week of August.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Falcon1200]

On my first Freedom of Scotland in 1979 I did both branches by taking the first northbound train from Inverness to Wick, returning with it to IIRC Helmsdale where we crossed the next northbound which I took to Thurso and then returned with it to Inverness. But that was back when the overnight Glasgow and Edinburgh/Inverness services facilitated such moves (and the days of glorious Class 26 haulage too)....