October saw the 10-year anniversary of Fairhurst opening its furthest north (and smallest) office in Thurso. Run as a satellite office of the Inverness office, Thurso takes the lead on small to medium-sized projects in the far north and Orkney, whilst also assisting other Fairhurst offices on larger projects located in the area.

Focusing primarily on structural and civil engineering projects, the office has recently been involved in projects in various sectors, such as education, industrial, healthcare, whisky distilling and also the burgeoning renewables energy sector in The Highlands. The Thurso office is currently supporting other Fairhurst offices with the ASTI energy transmission programme and also the Highland Investment Plan of school renewals.

One of the more unusual and unique projects the office has been involved in recently is the installation of a whale fin sculpture adjacent to the John O’Groats walking trail at Freswick Castle in Caithness. Although only measuring 1.8m tall, the sculpture is formed from recycled acrylic and is thought to be the largest single casting of this material in the world. Designed by sculptor Colleen McLaughlin Barlow and cast by Midton Acrylics in Lochgilphead, Fairhurst was responsible for the foundation design (to represent a whale’s back rising out of the water), overseeing the installation and providing Principal Designer services.

If you are in the area, we would love for you to stop by and check it out!

For assistance with any projects in the far north and Orkney, please contact Principal Engineer, Andrew Mennie, at 01847 867 270 or thurso@fairhurst.co.uk

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