Surfing the North Coast by Mark Boyd
Photo: Mark Boyd, Thurso East by Malcolm Anderson
The North Coast of Scotland, in particular the reef breaks of Caithness around the Thurso area, are world famous for their heavy barrelling surf; akin to that of the North Shore of Hawaii – just much colder!
Thurso – East (a reef break which can be seen from Thurso beach/harbour or better yet from the farm car park at Thurso-East itself) is the jewel in the crown of Scottish Surfing and during the winter months is a spectacle for those travelling the NC500 – expert level surfers from all over the world descend here to try and snag one of these world class waves.
But its not all expert level surf in Caithness and North Sutherland. The area boasts beautiful beaches around Bettyhill, Melvich and Dunnet which are perfect for beginner and intermediate surfers.
You’ll need good equipment to enjoy surfing in these waters – North Coast Watersports are based around Thurso and offer high quality wet suits that are guaranteed to keep you cosy in the North Sea! You can also hire foam surfboards which are perfect boards for any surfer wanting some fun in the waves. In the winter months when the waves are best you’ll need a hooded 6/5/4 top of the range wetsuit, mitts and 6mm + boots. For adults learning to surf you are best with an 8ft+ foam surfboard depending on your size and weight and if you have no experience at all I would recommend getting a surf lesson where you could also be able to rent the equipment for your trip. The governing body for surfing in Scotland is the Scottish Surfing Federation (www.thessf.com) and on their website you can find information regarding surfing in Scotland but most importantly a list of SSF accredited surf schools and affiliated businesses which can help kit you out for your North Coast 500 trip depending on where you may fly into.
Expert surfers no doubt will travel with their own gear and will appreciate the surf on the entire NC500 route – from Durness to Sinclairs Bay on the North Sea Coast, but Thurso, will likely be your mainstay as this is the most central location to the quality reef breaks but also within striking distance of the beach breaks out west as well as the North Sea coast; depending on conditions. Thurso is also home to a great selection of pubs and offers good nightlife at a weekend, which is most surfers ideal combination ; )
The Melvich Hotel is the ideal location to stay, slap bang in the middle of some fantastic beach and rivermouth breaks and even a view of the surf from the hotel. They also have wood fired pizza which makes for a fantastic post surf feast.
Thurso-East is host to the Scottish National Surfing Championships annually and this year the event will take place on the 19th-22nd of April 2019. This event is definitely something to add into your itinerary for the surfer and non-surfer alike when doing the North Coast 500 as it is a display of the best surfing and waves that Scotland has to offer.
No surf? Why not do a Whisky distillery tour at one of the distilleries on the route? Glenmorangie in Tain perhaps? Or play a round of golf at one of the many golf courses on the route such as Wick Golf Club.
Blog by Mark Boyd, Scottish National Surfing Champion. Follow Mark on;
Instagram: @markboydsurf
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/markboydsurferscotland
Photo: Mark Boyd, Thurso East by Malcolm Anderson
Other Accommodation nearby:
- The Highland Haven, Mey: Unique group accommodation provider for groups of up to 10, with drying areas for outdoor gear and wetsuits.
- Thurdistoft Farmhouse,near Dunnet: Self-catered accommodation offers surfers a lockable shed with space heater for equipment
- Burnside Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Wick: Contemporary luxury bed & breakfastsecure storage and drying room
- Greenland House B&B, Castletown: Eight-bedroom former highland bank houseDrying room
Storage for sports equipment - Northern Sands Hotel, Dunnet: Beautifully refurbished hotel in the idyllic village of Dunnet.
- Kirkton Farm (Farm Buggy Tours), Melvich: Static caravan for hire, great views up and down the Strath…All bedding and towels included, safe storage room for sports equipment and washing machine available.
Campervan hire: You can now follow the swell along the North Coast, with North Coast Camper Hire! They allow you surfers the flexibility to follow the surf, waking up at the very spot the waves are each morning!
