Cruise Europe

For several decades, Scrabster, in the county of Caithness, was the port of choice for the British Queen and her family when they disembarked from the royal yacht Britannia every August to visit the Queen Mother in residence at her Highland holiday home nearby.

Today, a new generation of visitors is following in their footsteps. The late Queen Mother's home at the Castle of Mey has become Britain's newest tourist attraction, and cruise lines eager to add a regal visit to their itineraries are also choosing Scrabster.

Located eleven miles from the Castle of Mey and within walking distance of Thurso, the second largest town in the Highlands, the new Queen Elizabeth pier and deep-water basin at Scrabster has opened up the remote and beautiful landscape of the Far North to larger cruise vessels for the first time.

The Northern Highlands of Scotland is Europe's last great wilderness. Its huge skies and natural beauty made the area a royal favourite for more than 50 years. Caithness and Sutherland have much to offer today's visitors whether it be the wealth of historic buildings and heritage centres or the great outdoors with tours viewing the majestic north coast and all the wildlife and natural heritage on offer.

Scrabster invites cruise lines to experience the same care and attention to their needs and passengers that the Royal Yacht received for many decades.

The port can berth vessels up to 180 metres length, and depth at chart datum is eight metres. Scrabster is fully ISPS Code compliant, with security personnel provided by the harbour authority to ISPS standards. Deep-water anchorage is available within 0.2 nautical miles. Fixed concrete steps are located in the outer basin and pontoon access, suitable for use by tenders, can be made available. Fast, fresh water supplies are easily accessible.