The Highland Council has announced a public consultation on the future development and management of the historic town of Thurso.

Following the success of an event held at the end of March, the Council will be hosting another public drop-in session at the start of May to highlight the draft Thurso Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan and encourage input and feedback from the local community.

The draft Plan sets out to define the characteristics that make Thurso an area of special architectural and historic interest and to provide recommendations of how best to preserve the town's rich history and heritage.


 Several important changes to the current conservation area boundary are proposed and a fresh assessment is needed to ensure the Plan reflects what is important in terms of the town's heritage and also considers what opportunities and challenges currently face the Conservation Area.

The drop-in event will take place on Wednesday 4 May between 12 noon and 5pm in the Caithness Room at the North Coast Visitor Centre, High Street, Thurso. Representatives of the Council's Historic Environment Team will be on hand to discuss the consultation, answer queries and share the draft appraisal and maps.

In the meantime, anyone can view the draft Plan and submit comments to the on-line consultation which is available on The Highland Council's website - https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kse (external link) - or in person at Thurso Library and the Caithness Planning Office in Wick. Comments can be made via the consultation portal at https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kse (external link) or by email at planning-conservation@highland.gov.uk