North Coast Visitor Centre

North Coast Visitor Centre Museum, gallery, café & shop exploring Caithness past, present and future.

David Barrogill Keith is the focus of our new exhibition, ‘The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith’, on display until ...
10/06/2026

David Barrogill Keith is the focus of our new exhibition, ‘The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith’, on display until the 27th June.

The exhibition brings together wonderful artwork from the collection of Robert Maitland, local knowledge and research by Alan McIvor and the Caithness Archive Team – as well as examples from the Keith Family archives held at Nucleus.

This special exhibition brings together works from across his life and offers a chance to explore the story of one of Caithness' most celebrated artists.
Visit before 27th June for your chance to explore this exhibition for yourself.

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am–5pm
Café North open 10am – 4pm



Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive High Life Highland

Tomorrow sees the opening of *The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith* at the North Coast Visitor Centre.A familiar na...
05/06/2026

Tomorrow sees the opening of *The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith* at the North Coast Visitor Centre.

A familiar name to many across Caithness, David Barrogill Keith's distinctive paintings captured local landscapes, people, and places, while his remarkable life took him far beyond the Highlands — from studying art in Paris to serving in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War.

This special exhibition brings together works from across his life and offers a chance to explore the story of one of Caithness' most celebrated artists.

Visit before 27th June for your chance to explore this exhibition for yourself.

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am–5pm
Café North open 10am – 4pm

Mallett's Mallet may have stayed at home, but Timmy Mallett didn't!We were delighted to welcome television presenter, ar...
03/06/2026

Mallett's Mallet may have stayed at home, but Timmy Mallett didn't!

We were delighted to welcome television presenter, artist, and keen cyclist Timmy Mallett to the North Coast Visitor Centre last week.

During his visit, Timmy spent time exploring our collections, including the magnificent Ulbster Stone, and shared one of his beautiful watercolour sketches with the team. His paintings have become a familiar sight across the UK as he documents his travels by bike through art.

It was a pleasure to show him some of the stories of Caithness, and we're delighted that the North Coast Visitor Centre has become part of his journey.

Thank you for visiting, Timmy – we hope to see you again soon!

Museum open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Coffee Shop open 10am – 4pm

High Life Highland Venture North

This tiny silver coin may be small, but it has a remarkable story to tell!June's object of the month is this silver penn...
02/06/2026

This tiny silver coin may be small, but it has a remarkable story to tell!

June's object of the month is this silver penny. Minted between 1280 and 1286 during the reign of King Alexander III and discovered in a coin hoard at Ladykirk, Duncansby, in 1969, this penny dates from the final years of one of Scotland's greatest medieval kings.

Alexander's reign brought peace and prosperity, but his death in 1286 after a night-time journey to meet his wife at Kinghorn plunged Scotland into a succession crisis that would eventually lead to the Wars of Independence.

Find out more: www.highlifehighland.com/blog/posts/june-26-ootm-the-alexander-penny

Museum open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Coffee Shop open 10am – 4pm

You might not fall through our standing stones and find yourself transported through time this , but a visit to our Sto...
01/06/2026

You might not fall through our standing stones and find yourself transported through time this , but a visit to our Stones Room might be the next best thing.

Standing proudly in the gallery, the Ulbster Stone was carved over 1000 years ago and is one of Caithness' most remarkable historic treasures. This stone is said to bear more symbols on it than any other Pictish monument and features symbols such as the crescent and V-rod, a double-disc, a paired crescent, and a wide variety of animals and the so called Pictish Beast.

If Outlander has sparked your interest in Scotland's past, why not continue the journey? Alongside the stone you'll find a selection of books exploring Highland clans, the Jacobite rising and the Highland Clearances. You can even take home your own miniature Ulbster Stone magnet – a small reminder of one of Caithness' most remarkable historic treasures!

This , make sure you pay a visit to our Coffee Shop and try our new loose leaf teas.Whether you prefer something bold a...
21/05/2026

This , make sure you pay a visit to our Coffee Shop and try our new loose leaf teas.

Whether you prefer something bold and warming, light and refreshing, or fruity and caffeine-free, our range of loose leaf teas has something for every taste.

Why not take a moment to slow down, relax, and enjoy a proper pot of tea surrounded by the stories of Caithness?

From Tropical Mango Fruit Tea to Together Mint Herbal Blend and classic favourites, there’s plenty to discover on our tea menu.

Museum open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Coffee Shop open 10am – 4pm

If you've not yet had the joy of visiting our current exhibition, don't leave it too late!Joy, by the Caithness Society ...
15/05/2026

If you've not yet had the joy of visiting our current exhibition, don't leave it too late!

Joy, by the Caithness Society of Artists, is a vibrant mixed-media exhibition exploring the people, places and moments that bring happiness and inspiration. Featuring a wide range of styles and subjects, this uplifting exhibition showcases the creativity and talent of local artists.

Come along and discover what Joy means to the artists of Caithness before 30th May.

Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
Café North open 10am–4pm

“There is not, I believe, in this round world anything to which you can compare this place or thing.”We were recently se...
12/05/2026

“There is not, I believe, in this round world anything to which you can compare this place or thing.”

We were recently sent this wonderful review of Thurso Museum from the Northern Ensign, published on Thursday 5 October 1871.

The writer described the museum as a “most perfect state of confusion” and suggested that only the ruins of Pompeii could rival what they saw!

Today, the North Coast Visitor Centre offers a welcoming, engaging, and hopefully less confusing, experience that brings the story of Caithness to life across three floors, from Pictish and Viking stones to the fascinating story of Dounreay.

Have you visited recently? We’d love to hear what you thought.

Leave us a review on TripAdvisor and help others discover us:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186541-d24091425-Reviews-North_Coast_Visitor_Centre-Thurso_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_Highlands_Sc.html

Museum open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am – 5pm Coffee Shop open 10am – 4pm

Newly on display in our changing highlights case, is the Caithness Football Association County League Trophy, our Object...
11/05/2026

Newly on display in our changing highlights case, is the Caithness Football Association County League Trophy, our Object of the Month for May, alongside a display featuring historic photographs of local football teams from years gone by.

From village pitches to cup finals, these images capture generations of players, supporters, and communities brought together by the beautiful game.

Read more about the history of the trophy and the story behind this month’s featured object on our blog: https://www.highlifehighland.com/blog/posts/may-26-ootm-caithness-football-association-county-league-trophy

Why not pop in and see if you can spot a familiar face in the photographs?

Museum open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Coffee Shop open 10am – 4pm

We’re looking for a new member of staff to join our 2026 seasonal Front of House team across our museum and café and got...
26/04/2026

We’re looking for a new member of staff to join our 2026 seasonal Front of House team across our museum and café and got less than a week to go until applications close!

If you enjoy history and heritage, meeting people, and ensuring every guest has an exceptional experience this could be for you.

Find out more and apply by 29th April: www.highlifehighland.org/recruitment

Address

High Street
Thurso
KW148AJ

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441847805020

Website

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