Submitted by Owen McCafferty on Sun, 2009-11-22 
After gaining permission at the harbour office, access is down a cliff beside the lighthouse. The shape of the bay causes the tide to nearly always run North, right into a patch of standing waves just off the head, so start your dive toward the pier.
The area is grossly over-fished of crabs and lobbies (IMHO) but a seriously good fish life and scenic dive, especially on a sunny day. You will always find something new at this site!
Designations
The lighthouse is Listed (Category B) as being of special architectural and historical interest.
Holborn Head Lighthouse, Scrabster Caithness on Scotland’s north coast Constructed in 1862, Holborn Head Lighthouse occupies a prominent location overlooking Scrabster Harbour, with far-reaching views of the Scottish coastline and the Pentland Firth. The property, offered for sale as a whole after the light was permanently discontinued in August 2003, comprises two apartments (upper and ower) with inter-connecting tower, outbuildings and an area of ground extending to approximately 1 acre.
Rumour has it that the pier is to be extended and that this site will no longer be available!
Scrabster Harbour Development: A Pictorial History
Early this year the new pier development at Scrabster Harbour started up.
The lifeboat shed was the first to go, then tons and tons of boulders and rubble were used to create a road.
The road ended at the head of the new pier and now work has started on that. Follow the development
Scrabster Harbour March 2001
Scrabster Harbour Trust have ambitious plans to build a new pier and access road to encourage fishing, cargo and tourism trade to the area. An upgraded ferry service is due to start next year and the work is now well underway.
The old Life Boat shed was the first to go. The new lifeboat sits in the harbour near what is known as the Queen’s steps. These photographs were taken in early March 2001.
Scrabster Harbour May 2001 By the 4th of May the new road was well and truly underway. All of the coastline from the P&O pier to just before the lighthouse has been filled in with tons upon tons of boulders and rubble.
The natural coastline has gone. I’m sure that the alterations will be good for Scrabster and the local community, but being an ex-diver, I can’t help but think of the excellent diving that was to be had here where the sea life was always spectacular. Reports from local Sea anglers, is that the fishing has totally changed, and not for the good.
Scrabster Harbour – June 2001 In the first picture you will see the new lifeboat centre being built. The initial part of the alterations is now being widened and the end of the altered section (just before the lighthouse) is being worked on.
Mid June and work has started on the breakwater and the Lifeboat Centre is coming on
Scrabster Harbour – August 2001 The lifeboat centre is looking much more complete!
Scrabster Harbour – September 2001 The first stage to the development is now finished and a new contract has been awarded for the work on the deep water pier. The next stage should be starting in October. Keep calling back to the site to see the work progress.
The weed has even started to grow on the rocks!
Scrabster Harbour – December 2001
4th December
8th December
9th December
Scrabster Harbour – January 2002 The heavy equipment is appearing and the size of the nut and bolts is amazing!
Latest Pier Pictures Scrabster Pier 8 Jun
Hamnavoe At Scrabster 6 March 2004 The covered walkway and arrival and departure terminal building is now complete.
Directions From Thurso, follow the A9 to Scrabster. Drive through Scrabster, towards the Orkney ferry terminal, and just before the vehicle check-in kiosk for the ferry, turn left
up the private road adjacent to the blue fencing. Holborn Head Lighthouse is located at the end of this road.
Services
Mains water (supplied via a private water pipe from a mains connection at Scrabster Harbour) and electricity. Private drainage.
Hours:
Strictly by appointment with Smiths Gore
Contact:
Local Authority The Highland Council, Market Square, Wick, KW1 4AB.
Tel: 01955 607 751
Solicitors Bell and Scott, 16 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LD.
Tel: 0131 226 6703
Edinburgh Office Smiths Gore 12 Bernard Street q Edinburgh EH6 6PY q United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)131 555 1200 Fax: +44 (0)131 554 2211
Email: edin…@smithsgore.co.uk
NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD 84 GEORGE STREET EDINBURGH EH2 3DA Telephone +44(0) 131 473 3100 Fax +44(0) 131 220 2093
E-mail enqu…@nlb.org.uk
http://www.nlb.org.uk/
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