Suitable for Families, Individuals, and Groups (Small & Large) Ideal for Starting & Finishing Lands End to John o'Groats Cycle Runs, Sandra’s Hostel nestles in the centre of Thurso - the northern-most town on the UK mainland. It is the ideal spot to base your holiday while you explore the North coast, or before and/or after a trip to the Orkney Islands.
Email Sandra's Hostel enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Thurso
The Hostel is centrally located in the town within easy reach of amenities such as pubs, takeaways, restaurants, nightclub, shops, gardens, etc. It is also within short walking distance of both the sea-front and Thurso river. There are a wide variety of activities on offer as well as some stunning locations.
An excellent base for a Caithness
or North Coast break.
• Seven Rooms - 30 Beds. All En-Suite
• Centrally Heated
• Secure Bike Storage
• Laundry & Drying Facilities
• Fast ADSL E-Mail & Internet Facilities
• Own Keys - No Curfew
• WiFi Available in Certain Areas
• Cooking Facilities
• Discounted Food on Premises
• Continental Breakfast Included • Plenty of Hot Showers -
No Charge
• All Bedding Supplied • Run by Experienced Backpackers
• Common Room
THE ROOMS
Our eight rooms are well appointed with multiple bunk beds (including
some doubles), full en-suite facilities (toilet, basin and shower) and
come with all bedding and a continental breakfast included.
Each room is heated with individual user-adjustable controls and there are laundry and drying facilities available for those who require them.
You also get your own keys and there is no curfew so you are free to enjoy the nightlife the area has to offer.
A recent addition to our room list is on the ground floor with disabled access including ramps, lift, and it's own kitchen area.
If you don't feel like preparing your own food, all residents are eligible for a 10% discount on food from Sandra's Snack Bar in the ground floor section of the building.
KITCHEN, DINING & COMMON ROOM
Our newly extended section houses a well lit double kitchen and
dining/common room.
The kitchen is appointed with two cookers, fridges, microwaves, toasters,
etc. and a shared dishwasher, freezer, sink, etc. so making it perfect
for multiple parties to access simultaneously. There is plenty of worktop
space for preparation and serving with a suitable supply of crockery and
utensils.
There are two large tables which serve a dual purpose - those of dining
and general common room. A widescreen television, DVD player, VCR, and
fast ADSL Internet access point are all provided for the sole use of residents.
Internet access is pre-paid for based on a rate per 15 minutes, with a
key required to be collected from Sandra's Snack Bar downstairs to allow
access.
A large variety of leaflets are on show for those who wish to visit local areas, and other promotional materials for ferries to Orkney, other hostels, etc. are also on display.
In addition to an ADSL Internet access point within the common room, we also have another ADSL Internet Booth downstairs for use by anyone. We have discounted bike hire facilities on site and can offer secure bike & motorbike storage if required.
Group travel
We can arrange a complete Group Accommodation service, ideal
for University students, school pupils, company visits, or other large
parties.
Our friendly staff, all of whom are Child Protection Registered,
will be happy in assisting your group in arranging trips, travel, etc.,
to take as much of the hastle out of group tours as possible.
For up to 30 persons total in our en-suite dorm-style rooms with ground-floor
disabled facilities available. We also have twin and double rooms for
organisers and other support personnel.
• Food & Drinks In conjunction with Sandra's Snack Bar we can
provide full fot and cold meals and snacks to eat in or take-away. We
can also arrange packed lunches for day trips.
• Travel Once you are here we can arrange, or recommend, travel
services on your behalf such as mini-bus, taxi, ferries, etc. You can
even use our on-site bike hire facilities!
• Local Tours Whether you are into history, archaeology, nature
or more active pursuits we can arrange, in conjunction with small local
operators, tours to some of the most beautiful locations within Caithness
and Sutherland.
• Orkney Tours As above but within the Orkney Islands
• Link Accommodation Through our computerised hostel link networks
we can arrange accommodation for your party before and after their visit
to us.
Around the Area
Caithness has a rich history which can be traced back to it’s
Viking roots. There are many settlements and structures which can be found
littered throughout the county to testify to it's historic past.
The cliffs of Caithness are spectacular at any time of year, but especially in early summer, when they echo with the cries of myriad breeding seabirds, which is a truly awesome experience.
Every narrow rock ledge is alive with guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes spinning and swirling in the wind. Puffins pose on the cliff-tops while shags and gannets dive deep into their other underwater world - the dramatic waters of the Pentland Firth.
The wildlife offshore is equally fascinating. Seals and porpoises haunt
the surf and, in winter, flocks of sea ducks frequent the shellfish-rich
waters. A great way to experience both the coast and the wildlife is to
take a one of the boat trips around the coast - choose a pace from sedate
or exhilarating!
If you are less of a watcher and more of a doer, then why not take to
the water and experience the renown competition-quality surf, or, for
more conventional travel, hire one of Sandra’s mountain bikes and
explore this intriguing county by road (maps and route plans can be supplied).
Finally, why not round off the day with a hearty meal at Sandra’s
Snack Bar before taking in some of the local pubs, clubs and other leisure
activities the town has to offer. Then tomorrow see what else the area
has to offer.
