4th March 2026
Fuel prices in Caithness are rising again this week, and the pattern reflects wider movements across Scotland and the UK. The increases are being driven by global oil volatility, domestic tax policy, and the structural realities of supplying fuel to rural regions. Together, these forces are shaping what drivers in the far north can expect at the pump in the coming days.
Across the UK, petrol and diesel prices have begun climbing after a period of relative stability. National averages now sit at 132.68p for petrol and 142.44p for diesel as of early March 2026 . These figures reflect a broader trend: fuel remains significantly more expensive than before 2020, driven by global oil markets, refinery costs, and taxation pressures. A 2026 guide notes that petrol typically ranges between 145-160p and diesel between 155-170p depending on region and supplier .
For Caithness, which relies on long‑distance fuel distribution and has fewer supermarket forecourts, pump prices tend to sit above the national average. This means local drivers are already feeling the increases more sharply than those in central Scotland.
Why Prices Are Rising Again This Week
Fuel prices in 2026 remain highly sensitive to global conditions. Market analysts expect continued volatility due to shifting supply and demand, currency movements, and geopolitical uncertainty . These pressures have recently pushed crude oil prices higher, and UK pump prices typically follow within days.
At the same time, domestic policy is shaping the outlook. The UK Government has frozen fuel duty until September 2026, but forecasts warn that 1-2p per litre increases are likely after that point as the freeze expires . Even without a duty rise this week, the expectation of future increases contributes to upward pressure on retail prices.
What This Means for Caithness Drivers
Rural areas like Caithness experience fuel price changes differently from major cities. With fewer competing stations and higher transport costs, price rises tend to arrive slightly later but often settle at a higher level.
Local drivers typically rely on:
Tesco Wick, usually the cheapest option in the county
Francis Street Service Station (Wick)
JET Ormlie Road (Thurso)
Bridgend Filling Station (Thurso)
As national prices rise, these stations adjust accordingly, and the increases tend to be more noticeable because there are no Asda, Morrisons, or Sainsbury's fuel stations to drive prices down.
The Outlook for the Coming Days
With national averages rising and global oil markets still unsettled, Caithness is likely to see further increases of 1–2p per litre this week. The combination of higher crude prices, ongoing volatility, and the structural cost of supplying remote areas makes additional rises difficult to avoid.
Drivers across the UK are being told to expect continued fluctuations rather than stability in 2026, and Caithness will feel these movements more acutely than most regions.