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The Trust held its Annual General Meeting on Friday 2nd October 2015. The Meeting endorsed the re-appointment of Tom Pottinger and appointment of William Thomson as board members. The 2014-15 financial statements and annual report are now available as downloads. Both documents can be accessed via Downloads part of the About Us section of the […]

The Trust held its Annual General Meeting on Friday 2nd October 2015.

The Meeting endorsed the re-appointment of Tom Pottinger and appointment of William Thomson as board members.

The 2014-15 financial statements and annual report are now available as downloads. Both documents can be accessed via Downloads part of the About Us section of the website.

Fishing: The total number of boxes landed during the week was 6,300 from 13 vessels, of which 3,320 were consigned from 5 vessels which includes one Faroese landing of 660 boxes.  There were 2,980 boxes through the market from  8 vessels. Other Vessel arrivals included  25/09/2015         The “Normand Aurora” arrived in Port from Aberdeen to […]

Fishing: The total number of boxes landed during the week was 6,300 from 13 vessels, of which 3,320 were consigned from 5 vessels which includes one Faroese landing of 660 boxes.  There were 2,980 boxes through the market from  8 vessels.

Other Vessel arrivals included

 25/09/2015         The “Normand Aurora” arrived in Port from Aberdeen to pick up oil related cargo.

29/09/2015         The “Wood Spirit” arrived in Port from Aberdeen to discharge fuel.

29/09/2015         The “Ruby” arrived in Port from Runavik to unload her weekly fish cargo.

01/10/2015         The “Green Isle” arrived in Port from Kirkwall unloading a “GM 700” barge.

Scotland’s most northerly mainland commercial port, Scrabster Harbour, has said bon voyage to its last scheduled cruise ship of the 2015 season. The harbour, which is a multi-purpose port based in Caithness, welcomed six cruise ships throughout the summer bringing in passenger numbers of more than 3,200 to the area. Amadea, a 29,008 tonne cruise […]

Scotland’s most northerly mainland commercial port, Scrabster Harbour, has said bon voyage to its last scheduled cruise ship of the 2015 season.

The harbour, which is a multi-purpose port based in Caithness, welcomed six cruise ships throughout the summer bringing in passenger numbers of more than 3,200 to the area. Amadea, a 29,008 tonne cruise ship arrived in the harbour on September 8^th from Reykjavik, Iceland with 576 visitors eager to visit the north of Scotland before leaving for Bremerhaven, Germany the next day.

It is now a decade since Scrabster made the strategic decision to market the port and local area as a cruise destination. This strategy has seen more than 23,000 cruise passengers arrive at Scrabster since 2006.

Scrabster’s location offers a competitive advantage to a range of sectors including oil and gas, renewables, fishing, cargo and the cruise and ferry industry. The harbour has excellent facilities due to the port development with cruise ships up to 180 metres and 8 metres draft berthing alongside, while larger vessels use the deep water anchorage available within 0.2 nautical miles.

Sandy Mackie, Trust Manager for Scrabster Harbour, said: “Scrabster is a regular port of call for visiting cruise ships and we were delighted to see the increase in passenger numbers this year. Over the past decade we have managed to attract visitors equivalent to three times the population of the local Thurso area. We have had a very busy summer period with passengers on the daily ferry link to Orkney increasing by 3% over the peak season.”

Scrabster Harbour has gone from strength to strength this year with record revenues and vessel tonnage. The port now has 10 cruise vessel reservations for next year, which could bring passenger numbers of more than 5,000 to the Caithness area with Fred Olsen’s Boudicca being the first scheduled liner of the season next April.

Sandy added: “The increase in bookings for 2016 is not only fantastic for the port but beneficial for the surrounding areas as well.”

Some of the attractions in the region include Castle Mey, Caithness Horizons and the Pulteney Distillery which is the most northerly whisky distillery in Scotland.

Beki Pope, Manager of Caithness Horizons said: “Caithness Horizons Museum always enjoys working with the cruise ship visitors to enhance their visit to the Caithness area. We are looking forward to working with Scrabster Harbour to welcome more cruise visitors in 2016”.

Scotland’s most northerly mainland commercial port, Scrabster Harbour, has seen more than a 100% increase in its oil and gas vessel tonnage, boosting traffic levels by 52%. The harbour, which is a multi-purpose port based in Caithness, has seen an increase in vessel arrivals for the first quarter, compared to figures in 2014. Its oil […]

Scotland’s most northerly mainland commercial port, Scrabster Harbour, has seen more than a 100% increase in its oil and gas vessel tonnage, boosting traffic levels by 52%.

The harbour, which is a multi-purpose port based in Caithness, has seen an increase in vessel arrivals for the first quarter, compared to figures in 2014. Its oil and gas vessel arrivals have been recorded at 19, with vessel tonnage of 123,130 tonnes for the month of July, surpassing all previous records at the port.

Sandy Mackie, Trust Manager for Scrabster Harbour, said: “The growth in energy related traffic shows that Scrabster Harbour is ideally placed for oil and gas vessels. As the closest mainland port for oil and gas activity off the west of Shetland, and many installations in the northern North Sea, we offer huge benefits to existing and potential clients.”

One of the recent arrivals at the harbour included the 11,600 tonne well intervention vessel the Island Constructor which is working on contract for BP. Mobilisation works on this ship allowed businesses from across the area to capitalise on the project while the vessel was berthed. Scrabster Harbour assisted the vessel with taking on water, stores and bunkers, engineering works, crane hire, haulage, transport for crew members and waste services.

The increased activity at the port has included project related vessel mobilisations, crew changes and supply vessel activity to support North Sea operations.

Sandy Mackie added: “The berthing of vessels such as the Island Constructor highlights the advantage of Scrabster’s proximity and the ability to handle operations such as this. We are delighted at achieving a record month in oil and gas vessel tonnage and hope that this continues to grow.

We have had great feedback from our clients who described the level of service and control of logistics at Scrabster Harbour as ‘extraordinary’.”

The increasing number of crew changes has also contributed to the reported growth in passenger numbers at the nearby Wick John O’Groats airport with personnel arriving at Wick by either aeroplane or helicopter. This is supported by local firm Far North Aviation.

Scotland’s most northerly mainland commercial harbour has reported a 16% increase in revenue, in 2014/2015, bringing in a record £2.8million. Scrabster Harbour, which has had more than £35million invested in it throughout the last 10 years, has seen an increase in demand and services over the past year across a range of sectors. Scrabster Harbour […]

Scotland’s most northerly mainland commercial harbour has reported a 16% increase in revenue, in 2014/2015, bringing in a record £2.8million.

Scrabster Harbour, which has had more than £35million invested in it throughout the last 10 years, has seen an increase in demand and services over the past year across a range of sectors.

Scrabster Harbour Trust, which operates the port, took the strategic decision in 2007 to further develop the Caithness port to increase its offering to attract growth in the energy sector. Whilst also improving facilities and services to traditional areas, such as fishing and general cargo. The first phase of the ambitious development plan, the creation of the new Jubilee Quay, was completed in 2013.

Future development plans for the port forecast investment increasing to more than £50million, further increasing the infrastructure and services available at the northern port.

Sandy Mackie, Trust Manager said: “It is a very exciting time for us here at Scrabster Harbour. We have been consistently ambitious in our vision for the harbour and local area. Improved infrastructure compliments our strategic location, quality supply chain and competitive port prices. The draft financial results for 2014-15 shows that the strategy is already reaping dividends for the port and the wider economy.”

“The past year has seen an increase in vessel arrivals, vessel tonnages and the volume of cargo handled at the port. The increase in revenue is great news for us and we will strive to continue the good work we have so far put in.”

The Trust also invested in a contemporary marketing plan to support its overall growth strategy. The Harbour itself has seen a complete rebrand and the trust recently launched a new website to give the port a more modern look and feel.

Sandy said: “The Board recognised the need to invest in our marketing in order to move the business forward. We believe the new corporate identity complements the direction in which we aim to take Scrabster Harbour.”

Scrabster Harbour Trust was established in 1841 and operates a multi-purpose port on the North coast of Scotland. Scrabster is a key hub of economic activity in the region, catering for a wide variety of sectors such as oil and gas, renewables, fishing and cruise ships. The harbour offers extensive facilities, with 24/7, 365 days a year access to the port. The Harbour possesses a strong local supply chain and is one of the UK’s top whitefish and shellfish landing ports.

Scrabster Harbour Trust (UK) has taken delivery of a new harbor tug / workboat, a Damen Stan Tug 1606. The vessel, named ‘Highlanders’, will replace their current workboat which was built in 1976. The new tug will undertake pilotage, towing, general harbour and maintenance duties. Scrabster Harbour in northern Scotland is attracting much larger vessels […]

Scrabster Harbour Trust (UK) has taken delivery of a new harbor tug / workboat, a Damen Stan Tug 1606. The vessel, named ‘Highlanders’, will replace their current workboat which was built in 1976. The new tug will undertake pilotage, towing, general harbour and maintenance duties.