Dounreay Exhibition:

Between the 1950s – 1990s, Caithness was a place of great importance to nuclear energy. The Nuclear Power Development Establishment (NPDE) and Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) were set up just ten miles west of Thurso. Throughout its lifetime the NPDE housed three different reactors, the Dounreay Fast Reactor, the Dounreay Materials Testing Reactor and lastly the Prototype Reactor. The NRTE was a military submarine reactor testing facility. During its lifetime Dounreay was a leading authority in the field of Breeder Reactors, drawing nuclear engineers from all over the world to learn from it.

Aside from its technological achievements and the power generated for the national grid, Dounreay was also a steadfast pillar of the Caithness economy, causing a significant growth in the county’s population due to an influx of workers. Even now after the last reactor was shut down, many people are employed to work on the site’s decommissioning.

At North Coast Visitor Centre, visitors can learn more about Caithness’ intriguing nuclear heritage and view many objects from everyday life in Dounreay, including parts of the reactor, as well as the interior of a control room.