Caithness Horizons opened its doors to the public on 1 December 2008. It was seven years in development and came about through an innovative and sometimes challenging partnership between three organisations sharing a common goal, which culminated in the creation of a new independent charitable company and the opening of a new museum.

On display and in storage at Caithness Horizons are three collections, which were previously in the ownership of The Highland Council: the Caithness Collection; Thurso Heritage Society at the old Thurso Folk Museum; and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) at the old Dounreay Visitors Centre.

The Fine Art Collection held by Caithness Horizons is small but regionally important. It is made up of prints, drawings, oil and watercolour paintings, many of which have a local connection in terms of subject matter or have been painted by artists that have a connection with Thurso and/or Caithness.