Toorboy, you're at it again - making me feel old!!!
I remember on my first visit to Scrabster in the 1950's when Mum, Dad & me (I was about 8) walked from Thurso one day to watch St Ola depart - those were the days before Ro-Ro ferries, when any vehicles & cargo was loaded by crane. I think that the pier used in those days was the shorter of the 3 that stick out parallel to the one Hamnavoe is moored to. The next one along was the first Ro-Ro pier that I've used on a couple of occasions.
In the 50's there was mostly only 1 sailing a day each way - southbound from Stromness at about 8am to arrive in Scrabster in time to catch trains/busses sooth and a return journey N, departing at 1pm.
Might I be correct in assuming that when your family lived in Thurso they had connections with Dounreay? (but that's me being nosey)