King Charles arrives for a reception for Caithness Communities hosted by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at Scrabster Harbour on July 28, 2025 in Thurso, ScotlandKing Charles surprised a royal fan with a key gesture during his visit to Scotland this week.
The monarch travelled to Caithness to mark a series of anniversaries linked to the nuclear industry on Monday, July 28.
Charles has a longstanding appreciation of the area and has been a regular summer visitor to the nearby Castle of Mey.
READ MORE: ‘Major changes’ to Santander, NatWest and First Direct in August
The King took time to meet several onlookers who had gathered to see him in Thurso.
David Mackay and his wife Jacky were stunned by how strong the King’s handshake was.
Mr Mackay told the John O’Groat Journal and the Caithness Courier: “I remember the Queen Mother coming to Caithness and now to meet the King, I am honoured – absolutely honoured.
“And his handshake is so strong! It’s a wonderful thing for Caithness, the fact that royalty have got so much love for the county.”
The King’s visit began in Scrabster, a short distance from the UK mainland’s most northernly point at John O’Groats.
He met key figures working in the nuclear sector, Express reports.
The visit to Scrabster harbour was hosted by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dounreay nuclear site.
Established in 1955, Dounreay was a leading research centre for scientists and engineers experimenting with plutonium, uranium and other metals to generate electricity using advanced types of nuclear reactor.
Research work ended in the 1990s, with the site now Scotland’s largest nuclear clean-up, waste management and demolition project.
It aims to leave the land housing the redundant research facilities safe for future generations.
Charles’ visit also marked 50 years since the formation of the Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) company, which has been involved in the transportation of nuclear materials between Europe and Japan for five decades.
A lone piper played as Charles arrived at the pier side on Monday morning.
Donning a kilt, the King met crew members of the Pacific Heron – a second-generation purpose-built nuclear transport vessel.
He unveiled a plaque on the Jubilee Pier to commemorate the PNTL’s 50th year of operations.
Charles then attended a reception in the nearby Fish Market Hall, where he met more people involved in the area’s nuclear industry and local residents.
Angus Lapslie, an engineer at the Dounreay site, has strong family links to the royals.
The Army reserve officer’s late grandfather was Reverend Keith Angus, who was the domestic chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II at the Crathie Kirk church in Aberdeenshire.
Mr Lapslie carried the King’s colours of his battalion at the coronation ceremony in 2023 and his battalion also supported the police during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral the previous year.
He said the King’s visit was special for those in the nuclear industry in the north of Scotland.
At the end of the reception, Charles unveiled a second plaque, which commemorated the 70 years of the Dounreay site.
He said: “Happy 70th birthday everybody. A great pleasure to see you all.”
During his visit, Charles also met local sea cadets and Royal National Lifeboat Institution volunteers from the area.
He presented a long service medal to the daughter of William “Wing” Munro, who volunteered with the RNLI in Scrabster for 55 years.
Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.