Cruise port Scrabster

Scrabster, a key port on Scotland's wild north coast, serves as a practical gateway to the Orkney Islands and the surrounding Highlands. Although it is primarily a ferry port, cruise ships can dock directly at the Queen Elizabeth Pier, ensuring a convenient embarkation.

Car

The Port of Scrabster is excellently connected via the A9 trunk road, which serves as the main artery through Scotland and leads directly to the harbor. From Inverness, you can reach Scrabster in about 3 hours (approx. 185 km). Free short-term parking, including accessible spaces, is available directly at the terminal. For longer stays, there is a paid long-term parking lot (approx. £15 per week) located about 400 meters from the passenger terminal, operated by the Scrabster Harbour Trust. You can conveniently drop off luggage and passengers directly at the terminal before parking the vehicle.

Airplane

For travelers from the DACH region, Inverness Airport (INV) is the nearest major airport with good connections within the United Kingdom and Europe. It is located about 193 kilometers (120 miles) from Scrabster, which corresponds to a driving time of around 2 hours 30 minutes. Alternatively, Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC) is actually the closest airport at only about 38 kilometers away, but it mainly offers flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen. A rental car or a pre-arranged transfer is recommended for the onward journey to the port, and due to the travel time from the DACH region, an overnight stay in Inverness or nearby Thurso is advisable before the day of embarkation.

Train

Thurso railway station is the northernmost station in Great Britain and is located only about 1 to 2 miles (approx. 3 km) or a 6-minute drive from the Scrabster Ferry Terminal. Scotrail offers regular train connections from Inverness to Thurso, with a journey time of just under 4 hours. From Thurso station, you can easily reach the terminal by taxi in a few minutes; pre-booking is strongly recommended. Additionally, there is a local bus service (e.g., Stagecoach North Scotland Route 80) from Thurso to the center and the ferry terminal, which takes about 10 minutes. Hotels for an overnight stay can be found in charming Thurso, just a short transfer from the port.

Check-in & Embarkation

Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.

The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.