Development
Scrabster Harbour is investing in infrastructure, land and facilities to support long-term growth across energy, logistics, cruise and marine sectors
Investing in growth
As a Trust Port, all profits are reinvested back into the harbour, enabling continued development and creating opportunities for operators, developers and supply chain partners.
Scrabster Harbour Trust is delivering a long-term, investment-led strategy around four focus areas: energy and cruise growth, core sectors, estate and infrastructure and net zero.
£57m
Investment since 2001
£5.27m
Turnover in 2024/2025
47%
Increase in year-on-year profits
Energy and cruise
Scrabster is strategically positioned to support the growth of offshore energy and cruise activity in the North Sea and Northern Europe.
Ongoing investment in deep-water berthing, laydown space and port infrastructure is strengthening the harbour’s capability to support offshore wind operations and maintenance, alongside continued oil and gas and decommissioning activity.
At the same time, improvements to St Ola Pier and port facilities are enabling the harbour to accommodate a wider range of cruise vessels, supporting growth in international cruise tourism.
Core sectors
Scrabster continues to invest in and support its core sectors, including ferry services, fishing and general cargo operations.
Development activity focuses on maintaining efficient infrastructure, supporting operational resilience and ensuring capacity is available to meet demand across these established markets.
Estate and infrastructure
The harbour estate includes quayside laydown areas, industrial land and operational compounds, supporting a range of port users and supply chain activity.
Ongoing development is focused on maximising the use of available land and infrastructure, improving connectivity between quays, storage and operational areas, and creating flexible space to support project cargo and energy-related activity.
Net zero and energy transition
Scrabster is committed to supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, both within its own operations and through its role in the wider energy sector.
Investment in infrastructure and capability is aligned with emerging opportunities in offshore wind and renewable energy, positioning the harbour as a key delivery partner in the energy transition.
Development opportunities:
Scrabster Mains
Development of the 32 acre Enterprise Area at Scrabster Mains
Seabed reclamation
Seabed reclamation works to add laydown and industrial space south of the harbour
Regional infrastructure
Caithness and Sutherland is one of the UK’s most strategically important regions for energy, infrastructure and industrial development. Supported by strong public-private partnerships and significant investment, the region combines natural resource, connectivity and capability to support large-scale projects.
Key facts:
Energy
- 5 Scotwind sites in the immediate area
- Produces 12x more renewable electricity than it consumes, from onshore wind alone
- MeyGen in the Pentland Firth is the world’s largest planned tidal array
- Home to NRS Dounreay, a nationally significant nuclear decommissioning site
Connectivity
- Regular flights from Wick John O’Groats Airport to Aberdeen
- Direct access to North Sea and North Atlantic shipping routes
- Established ports at Scrabster, Gills and Wick
- Ongoing investment in grid and transmission infrastructure
Skills and supply chain
- Highly skilled workforce in energy, engineering and marine sectors
- Strong, established local supply chain
- World-class expertise at UHI North, West and Hebrides Thurso campus
Strategic opportunity
- Identified as a key region for energy transition and net zero delivery
- Flow Country World Heritage Site supporting carbon capture potential
- Emerging sectors in space, hydrogen and data
- Coordinated regional approach through Focus North partnership
Scrabster Harbour sits at the heart of this regional ecosystem, providing a key gateway for projects and investment across the North Highlands.
Explore the Focus North interactive map to view all developments and infrastructure in the North Highlands
