| Administrative History | The establishment of Dounreay in the mid-1950s created a substantial increase in population for Thurso, with the additional need to provide housing for staff at Dounreay from outwith the area. A total of 1007 houses and flats were constructed between 1955 and 1963, and the population rose from 3,249 in 1951 to 8,037 in 1961. |