Information
Dates: 30th April - 12th September
2010
Tel: 01955 611 761
Hostel Open: 7.00hrs-10.00hrs.
17.00hrs-23.00hrs.
Reception: 7.00hrs-10.00hrs
17.00hrs-22.00hrs.
If arriving after 22.00hrs please contact the
Hostel.
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of
our hostels.
Local Attractions
Baile an Or, Site of 1800s gold
rush.
Visit
Website
Cairn o’Get
A horned and chambered burial
cairn of Neolithic date, located in an area of much archaeological
interest. Undere the care of Historic Scotland
Visit Website
Caithness Horizons
Planned to open in Sept
2008. Major visitor centre conversion of Thurso Town Hall to house
the exhibitons of the Thurso Heritage Society
Visit Website
Castle and Gardens of Mey
The most
northerly castle in mainland Scotland, restored by the late
QueenMother
Thurso, Caithness KW14 8XH
Visit Website
Castle of Old Wick
Under the care of
Historic Scotland, the ruin of the best-preserved Norse castle in
Scotland, on a spine of rock projecting into the sea, between two
deep, narrow gullies
Visit Website
Clan Gunn Heritage Centre and Museum
The story of one of Scotland’s oldest clans, from its Norse origins
to the present day
Visit
Website
Cnoc Freiceadain Long Cairns
Two
unexcavated long-horned burial cairns of Neolithic date, set at
right angles to each other. Part of Historic Scotland
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Dunbeath Heritage Centre
The Centre
provides a focus for the work of Dunbeath Preservation Trust
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Duncansby Head
The real north eastern tip of the Scottish mainland
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Dunnet Head
Mainland Scotland's most
northerly point
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Grey Cairns of Camster
Two chambered burial cairns of Neolithic date. One is long, with
two chambers and projecting ‘horns’ and the other is round, and
contains a single chamber. Access to chambers
Visit
Website
Halkirk Highland Games
The premiere sporting event in the North of Scotland and the
Scottish Highlands and Islands, held on the last Saturday in
July
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Helmsdale Highland Games
Held mid August
each year
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Hill o’Many Stanes
More than 22 rows of
low slabs arranged in a slightly fan-shaped pattern, which may have
been a prehistoric astronomical observatory
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John o'Groats
The end of the long road
from Land's End
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Pulteney Distillery
Visitor Centre
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St Mary’s Chapel, Crosskirk
A simple
dry-stone chapel, probably of 12th-century date
Visit Website
Waterlines, Lybster
Discover the amazing
history of this picturesque port
Visit Website
Wick Heritage Museum
The largest multi-award winning museum in the North of
Scotland
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Eating Out
The Schoolhouse Restaurant
The best home
cooked food made with the finest local ingredients
John o' Groats, KW1 4YS.
Visit Website
Seaview Hotel
The Seaview Hotel, John O'Groats, Caithness, KW1 4YR
Visit Website
Caberfeidh Guest House and Restaurant
John O’Groats, by Wick, Caithness, KW1 4YR
Visit
Website
Castle Arms Hotel
Mey, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, KW14 8XH
Visit Website
Wildlife
Seal, puffin, whale, kestrel, fulmar, razorbill, peregrine,
falcon, cormorant, guillemot, kittiwake, skuas, porpoise,
oystercatcher, gannet, shag.
Forsinard Flows RSPB Reserve
Over 10,000ha
of 'blanket bog', the peatlands of Forsinard lie at the heart of
the internationally important Flow Country of Caithness and
Sutherland
Visit
Website
Dunnet Head Education Trust
Located at the
most northerly point of the UK mainland. Magnificant views to Cape
Wrath and the Orkney Islands. The centre provides a public internet
station, historical and environmental information, issues fishing
permits and offers superb wildlife and walking
Visit Website
John O’Groats Ferries
Amazing wildlife
cruises daily at 2.30pm. View the diverse marine life of the
Pentland Firth, cruise to the majestic stacks of Duncansby or to
the seal colony at the island of Stroma. Puffins, razorbills,
seals, porpoise and lots more!
Visit Website
Northcoast Marine Adventures
Marine
wildlife and scenic boat tours by rigid inflatable boat. View the
amazing Duncansby Stacks or tour round the deserted island of
Stroma. Spectacular sea cliffs and caves abundant with marine
life
Visit Website
Walkers
Moderate walks
Dunnet Bay and Forest
A pleasant walk
exploring the sandy beach and woodlands
Distance: 5.5km/3.4miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 10
metres/33 feet
View
Route
Wick Castle
The route follows the cliff
tops to an old ruined castle and spectacular rock formations
Dunnet Head
The most northerly point on
the UK mainland
Distance: 12km/7.5miles, Duration: 5hrss Height Gain: 300
metres/990 feet
View
Route
Wick River
A route following the River
Wick for those interested in birds and flowers.
Distance: 6.5km/4.1miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 30
metres/99 feet
View
Route
Thurso - Scrabster Circular
A pleasant
walk along quiet roads and paths along cliff tops to a busy
harbour
Distance: 8km/5miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 30 metres/99
feet
View
Route
John o' Groats coastal walk
A pleasant
walk through grass lands with good views of the Orkney
Islands
Distance: 5km/3.1miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 30
metres/99 feet
View
Route
Disclaimer: All
walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can
hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like
to acknowledge the British
Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC
recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a
danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these
activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be
responsible for their own actions".