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THE TRANSMISSION GALLERY

Photos by Peter Bigwood and Bill Wright Page last updated: 2023-09-11
Thurso Highland
NGR: ND119673 Maps: Google  Bing (Ord Surv)   Site Height: 40m      Structure Height:
Digital TV: BBC A: 41   D3&4: 44   BBC B: 47  
National Radio:
Local Radio:
Digital Radio:
Comments: Thurso is a relay of Rumster Forest. Prior to B700 clearance Thurso used chs 57/60/53

Show historic services

2010

Thurso has the privilege to be the northern most broadcast transmitter on mainland Britain, beating Durness by just 100 metres. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be possible to get right up to the mast without invading the farmer's privacy or his lush corn.

Originally a BBC landlord site, Thurso entered service on 23-Jul-1982 to serve 1770 people. Channel 4 was added during February 1984 once the parent station at Rumster Forest commenced transmissions. The original structure was a 14m wooden pole, which has clearly been replaced for site sharers.


The Thurso relay had two RBL aerials, one looking at Rumster Forest and the other at Keelylang Hill, but in these post-DSO days it is firmly a relay of Rumster Forest. It transmits to the north only, to the small area on the river banks near the sea. Very few aerials are aligned on the relay, since good reception is possible almost everywhere from Rumster Forest or Keelylang Hill. Post DSO, the Thurso relay seems to be redundant, since it's unlikely that anyone will settle for "Freeview Lite" when all the six multiplexes are so readily available in the area.

Access to the site was through a farm yard and farm machinery sales yard, the owner cheerfully giving this bicycle-borne idiot free passage and detailed directions, whilst probably tapping his forehead in a significant way once I'd pedalled off up the hill.













Keelylang Hill A | Rumster Forest

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