Torrisdale is one of Sutherland's more flexible surf spots. It's located at the eastern edge of the bay, where the Strathnaver river meets the sea. This quality rivermouth can handle a bit of everything, making it a good choice for surfers looking for consistency. With its distance from Thurso, it tends to be quieter, giving you a chance to surf without the usual crowds. Getting there involves either paddling across the river or hiking in from the Torrisdale end.
The surf at Torrisdale can range from waist high (about 1 meter) to overhead (around 2 meters). It works best with swells coming from the NorthWest, handling sizes from 3ft (about 0.9 meters) to 6ft (about 1.8 meters). You'll find both right and left waves breaking over a sandy bottom, which creates a classic rivermouth setup. On good days, especially during autumn and winter, you can catch some long rights and a few shorter lefts peeling into the rivermouth. The waves can be fun for intermediate and expert surfers, and the best conditions usually roll in with a southeast to south-southwest wind, especially during low to mid tides.
The vibe here is pretty friendly, and the crowd factor is low, so you can enjoy your session without too much interference. Just be mindful of rips, as they can be a bit stronger than they look, particularly on bigger days. This spot generally gives good access to varied wave types, whether you’re on a shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, or even a bodyboard. So grab your board and enjoy what Torrisdale has to offer!