Forss

Forss is a village and civil parish in Caithness, in the northern part of Scotland. It sits along the Forss Water, a small river that runs through the parish and reaches the North Sea coast nearby. The surrounding area is rural, with farmland and moorland forms typical of Caithness, and the village serves as a local centre for nearby crofts and farms. The nearest larger towns are Wick and Thurso, which are connected to Forss by regional roads.

The name Forss is generally understood to have Norse origins, reflecting the historical influence of Norse settlement in Caithness during the medieval period. In historical records and maps, Forss appears as a named locality associated with the watercourse that bears its name. The parish has long been part of the broader Caithness landscape, contributing to the area’s agricultural heritage and rural character.

Beyond the place, Forss also functions as a surname. Individuals bearing the surname appear in genealogical records across northern Europe, and the name is carried by people in contemporary use as well. In addition to the village and the surname, Forss may be encountered as a toponym in other localities connected to the Forss Water or to families bearing the name.

See also references to Caithness place names, Norse influence in Scotland, and lists of Scottish parishes for readers seeking related topics.