Stagecoach Bus 82 from Thurso to Wick
Stagecoach Bus 82 is a rural bus service from Thurso to Wick. Following an afternoon visit to Thurso town and Thurso Railway Station, the northernmost railway station in the United Kingdom, it was time to head back to Wick, and Stagecoach Bus 82 closes my Caithness loop for the day.
Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland (Olrig St Santander)
Stagecoach Bus 82 starts its service from Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland (Olrig St Santander) bus stop, but as I was visiting Thurso Railway Station, I boarded straight from there instead of walking back to the town centre.
Thurso Railway Station
Stagecoach Bus 82 serves the bus stop outside Thurso Railway Station (Miller Academy) after departing from Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland (Olrig St Santander) on its way to Wick.
Bus route information is posted on the bus stop outside Thurso Railway Station (Miller Academy).
The next Stagecoach Bus 82 was departing at 2.30pm, though I think the time listed is for the departure time from Thurso Royal Bank of Scotland (Olrig St Santander) instead, as the bus stops are quite close by in Thurso as seen from the approximate journey times.
Do note that there has been changes to the timetable since December 2022, and the timings in the above pictures do not apply any more. Click here for the Stagecoach Caithness bus timetable effective December 2022.
My Stagecoach Bus 82 arrived at Thurso Railway Station (Miller Academy) bus stop at 2.34pm.
Payment is made directly on board. Inform the driver on what ticket you need, a single, return, or day ticket, and pay directly by cash, contactless, or a debit or credit card on board.
I already had my Caithness DayRider ticket which I had purchased on board my initial Stagecoach Bus 77, my first bus ride of the day. The Caithness DayRider ticket gives me 1 day of unlimited rides around the Caithness area including Wick, John o’ Groats, and Thurso, and I simply showed this to the driver upon boarding. This costed me £7.70 during my visit, but the fare has since gone up to £8.70.
The interior of the Stagecoach bus operating on 82 which uses a former intercity coach.
The legroom is good for UK standards. There are no tray tables or power sockets on board this bus.
The toilet at the rear is locked out of service.
Passing by Thurso Railway Station.
While the Stagecoach Bus 82 was not crowded, this was the most crowd I’ve seen on a bus in Caithness that day.
The first part of the journey offers vast views of fields along the way.
Halkirk
Crossing the River Thurso at Halkirk.
Passing by Ross Institute in Halkirk.
Turning left on to Sinclair Street at McColl’s Halkirk.
Making a brief stop at the main Sinclair Street bus stop in Halkirk.
Splitting away from the River Thurso.
Turning right at Roadside.
Passing over the Far North Line at Clayock just after Georgemas Junction towards Wick.
Passing by Loch Watten.
Watten
Heading in to Watten, the birth place of Alexander Bain, who was the inventor of the electric clock.
Making a brief stop at Watten Post Office, the main bus stop in Watten.
Crossing over the Wick River at Watten.
Wick
Entering the Royal Burgh of Wick.
The Stagecoach Bus 82 serves Wick Swimming Pool first before entering the main town.
Looping around the road end at Wick Swimming Pool.
Passing by Caithness General Hospital which sits in front of Wick Railway Station when on the main road.
Passing by Station Road leading to Wick Railway Station.
Crossing over the Wick River.
I was alighting at Wick Town Hall in the centre of town, but it is not the final stop of the Stagecoach Bus 82. Like a regular stage bus, press the bell when approaching the bus stop.
Wick Town Hall
My Stagecoach Bus 82 arrived at Wick Town Hall at 3.16pm, making this a journey time of 42 minutes.
Do note that there has been changes to the timetable since December 2022, and the timings in the above pictures do not apply any more. Click here for the Stagecoach Caithness bus timetable effective December 2022.
The Stagecoach Bus 82 would continue on to Wick Tesco where it terminates.