Information
Dates: 1st April - 26th October 2010
Tel: 01847 611 789
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of
our hostels.
Hostel Facilities & Services
- Twin, private and dorm rooms (online booking
available)
- Hostel Shop
- Home Baking
- Cycle shed
- Towel hire
- Laundry service
- Self catering kitchen & dining room
- Guest lounge
Hostel opening: 7-10am
& 1-11.30pm
Reception:
7.30-10am & 5-10.30pm
Local Attractions
Altnaharra Church
A small church just to
the north of Altnaharra
Visit Website
Balnakeil Bay
Magnificent sandy bay
leading to Faraid Head near Durness
Visit Website
Dun Dornaigil
Also known as Dun Dornadilla, a well-preserved broch with a
distinctive entrance, standing to a height of up to 6.7
metres
10mls S of Hope, Sutherland off the A838
Visit Website
Loch Eriboll
A loch that bites deeply into
the north coast of Sutherland
Visit Website
Strathnaver
The place in Scotland which,
more than any other, brings home the reality of "The
Clearances"
Visit Website
Strathnaver Museum & Trail
Story of a past way of life in this remote area, with special
emphasis on the Clearances
Clachan, Bettyhill KW14 7SS
Visit Website
Smoo Cave
A great tourist attraction for
people visiting the northwest coast
Visit Website
Local Shops/Amenities
Post Office & Shop
ATM, groceries
& Coffee Shop
Open Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm
Spar Shop & petrol station
On main
road between hostel and village
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 11am-1pm
Royal Bank of Scotland
Open Mon-Fri
9.15am-4.45pm
Also:
- Doctor’s surgery
- Church of Scotland
- Stable Studio & craft shops
Eating & Drinking
Craggan Hotel
Talmine, Melness, IV27
4YP
Tel: 01847 601278
An Garbh Restaurant at The Ben Loyal
Hotel
Main Street, Tongue, IV27 4XE
Tel: 01847 611216
Tongue Hotel
Tongue village
Tel: 01847 611206
Visit Website
Restaurant at The Borgie Lodge
Skerray, nr Tongue, KW14 7TH
Tel: 01641 521332
The Crask Inn
on the A836 south of Altnaharra
Tel: 01549 411241
Visit
Website
(the only eating place between Lairg and Tongue on the A836 -
handy for cyclists)
Walkers
Moderate
Cliff top walk on Melness from Talmine Pier to
Portvasgo
Lots of wildflowers in June/July. Beautiful
coastal scenery
Approx 1.5 hrs each way – can be extended into a circular walk
Lovely walk to the ruined village of
Sletteil
From Strathan near Skerray with the option
of exploring dramatic cliffs just north of the village
3-4 hrs
Ben Tongue
A steep sloping hill on the
north coast of Sutherland. Ben Tongue rises to 302m (990
feet)
1¼ miles (2 km) to the east of the Kyle of Tongue Causeway.
Torrisdale Beach
At Skerray - approx 7mls from hostel
Long walks:
Balnakeil
A beautiful coastal walk along a
lovely sandy beach with great views of the cliffs
Distance: 4km/2.5mls, Duration: 1 hr Height Gain: 50 metres/165
feet
View
Route
Sandwood Bay
One of the countrys best beaches, 2hrs walk from nearest
road.
Distance: 13km, Duration: 4 hrs, Height Gain: 240
metres
View
Route
Hill Mountain Walks
Ben Hope
An ascent of Scotland's most
Northerly Munro
Distance: 13km/8.1mls, Duration: 5 hrs, Height Gain: 900
metres/2970 feet
View
Route
Ben Loyal
An ascent often referred to as
the Queen of Scottish Mountains
Distance: 13km/8.1mls, Duration: 5 hrs, Height Gain: 750
metres/2475 feet
View
Route
Ben Klibreck
This
mountain dominates central Sutherland, with extensive
views
Distance: 10km/6.25mls, Duration: 5 1/2 hrs, Height Gain: 800
metres/2640 feet
View
Route
Foinaven
Long high ridge over 5 km in
length and taking in five major tops
Height: 911m (2999 ft)
Map Reference: OS Sheet 9; NC 317507
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".
Wildlife
Greenshank, golden plover, dunlin guillemot, kittiwake, golden
eagle , ptarmigan , crossbill , crested tit, fulmars Breed ,
kittiwakes, shags, red throated divers, black throated, greenshank,
red deer, guillemot, razorbill, great skua, puffin.
Handa Island
A rugged off shore island,
Hana is one of the largest seabird colonies in Europe
Visit Website
Active & Adventure
Cycling
Located on the Sustrans National Cycle Route 1, Tongue Youth
Hostel is a popular stop over for the Land’s End to John O’Groats
Challenge. Numerous short and long rides are possible from the
hostel. This is a superb way to appreciate the scenery and explore
the nearby beaches, lochs, historic sites etc. You will need to
bring your own bike as there is no bike hire available locally.
The Far North West
Long distances here
with few food stops
View Route
Hilly
The Far North West
A steady climb then a
long descent to Durness, the most northerly point of the
route
View Route
Kyle of Durness to Cape Wrath
An eleven
mile journey to the north-west tip of Scotland
View Route
The Far North West
Long climbs with
impressive views of sea-lochs and mountains
View Route
Difficult
The Far North West
190 miles in the
wildest and most rugged scenery in Scotland. If you like hills to
get your teeth into, this is for you!
View Route
The Crask Inn
on the A836 south of Altnaharra
Tel: 01549 411241
Visit
Website
(the only eating place between Lairg and Tongue on the A836 -
handy for cyclists)
Horse Riding
Torrisdale Trekking
Located at Bettyhill, twelve miles from the hostel
Tel: 01641 521 472
Fishing
Permits available from both hotels
in the village
Families
- Family and private rooms
- Located near to the beach
- Good self catering facilities
- Garden