Centrally located, easy to find, clean comfy beds, decent kitchen to use, nice staff. Windows…read morerattle a bit but it makes it more charming

I get it, we are all trying to save a dollar, a pound or two. So you get what you pay…read more 40 sterling pounds or $66.90 usd rents 2 keys for room1, a bunkbed with private shower/toilet with free self-serve cold contenintal breakfast (cereal/milk/toast/tea/instant coffee). If you are traveling alone and female, this might be a good choice for you....there will always be a chance of encoutering questionable characters leasing rooms in places like this backpacker facility. Followed the sign on the side of the two-story building directed all guests to check in with the cashier/cook at the Sandra's fish n chips. James told us the policies and check out time is 1030am. Let me tell you the fish n chips joint needs a through de-greasing/cleaning no matter how busy it gets at the backpacker. And that set the tone for the entire night, that the entire backpacker place is dirty and cluttered. There is no elevator and there are only stairs to get to the second/third floor. There is a Tesco in town so we bought food and then cooked dinner /breakfast in the kitchen. After we cleaned up after ourselves found that young people would use the tea service but leave plates and cups near the sink so that others can wash it (although its clearly stated to clean after yourself). It was noisy with people laughing and loud with doors slamming as people left to go outside if you are staying in room 1. Upon arrival after a 6 hour drive from Isle of Skye to Thurso...there is nothing like a clean bed and warm cup of tea to re-charge the body...I got that but in a bohemian way. James is very smart/informative and his wife is nice, but I will avoid this place and stay elsewhere as it is not for me.

I stayed here for 3 days while visiting Kirkwall and the rest of Mainlamd Orkney. It's about half…read morea mile from the main hub (tourist center), an easy walk if you're taking the bus from the airport. The manager was very pleasant (it is a family-run business) and was watching for me to let me in. I had booked a private room, which was on the first floor. It was a good size, with a fridge, small TV, closet, bathroom/shower, coffee maker with instant coffees, hairdryer and 2 towels. By far the best equipped hostel I had been to. It was clean, but the smell of whatever disinfectant they had used was so intense I had to open the window for a while. The blanket and pillow cases look like they have seen better days but all and all respectable. The kitchen and common area were really lovely--clean, with everything you might need, including games, books, large sofas, all cooking supplies, and recycling bins. I had no problems checking in or out and the hostel manager was very friendly, taking the time to answer my questions about transportation around the island, which can be tricky. I am 30-something, there was a 20-something and a few 40-somethings there, so it's a hostel for a wide range of ages! Recommended.