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Catalina
A Unique B & B
 | Aultivullin, Strathy Point, by Thurso, Caithness, Scotland KW14 7RY Telephone: 01641 541395 Fax: 0871 900 2537 Open All Year | |
 No Children |  Non Smokers Only |  No Dogs |
The AA Inspector: "The bedroom is equipped with a host of thoughtful extras and the layout is such that guests have a great deal of free space including a comfortable lounge area at their disposal - I was most impressed with some of the systems that are in place to ensure that guests have a comfortable stay". Awarded a Rosette by the Consumers Associations' Which? Good Bed and Breakfast Guide as one of their 'Top 20' in Great Britain, one of only three in Scotland. The first accommodation in Scotland to be presented with the GOLD National Clean Air Award, Given a high award of Four Stars by the Automobile Association, (Peter Birnie, AA Chief Hotel and Restaurant Inspector said "I am delighted that Catalina has achieved a place within the top 10% of the four star rating"). And additionally invited by the AA to appear in their "Britains Best" publication... but you don't want to read these impressive comments by Inspectors and Editors - you want to know what does the typical guest think? well just scroll down and see the unsolicited comments below, and bear in mind we've had over 349 repeat guests who've returned time after time which is a pretty good indication especially as we only take two people! |
| Anyway enough chatter. A few 'House Rules' before we go on; sorry, but we are unique in that we take NON-SMOKERS ONLY, that means if a person is a smoker then we will not accept them, it's no good saying "I won't smoke anywhere near the house" it will still taint the bedding, furnishings, curtains etc - we pride ourselves on having a totally smoke-free environment, so much so that Jane has told guests who try and sneak around this rule to pack their bags and leave! |  |
| We'd travelled down to Liverpool to receive our prized GOLD Clean Air award and we're justifiably proud of it! We don't take CHILDREN (we've done 'our' bit with four kids and 8 grand-children!) . And we don't take DOGS and finally we only take TWO PERSONS, which kind of narrows it down a bit! But because of all these 'restrictions' you'll be supplied with total peace and tranquillity. Maybe by reading this you might think we're a miserable pair, but read the guests comments further down and you'll find we're not! So where exactly are we? For those who are interested Our Sat Nav location, is N 58.58311 W 4.03687. It's easier if you imagine a map of Britain; up on the top right is John O' Groats and up on the top left is Cape Wrath - well we're smack in between - out on a Point of land called Strathy Point, the Atlantic on three sides! (If you scroll right down to the bottom of this page - there's a helpful map) Don't think we live at the end of a dirt road, no, we're a mile or so off the main north coast road; the A836, it's then down a nice tarmac road to 'Aultivullin' - all fully signposted from the A836. We're only 30 minutes from Thurso and the ferries to Orkney. This year will bring the arrival of the fastest ferry over to the island; a 70 metre catamaran, 45 minute crossing at Gills which will be a boon to those who do not have their sea-legs. Quite a number of our guests use us as a 'stop-over' on their way to and from the Orkneys (they come North and go South via the A897 the beautiful Melvich to Helmsdale road - thus avoiding the twisting and winding A9). And an ideal stop for those driving up and along the far north coast road. |
| What do we offer? Well we're pretty unusual as we only take two persons, but we provide a whole private suite of a twin bedroom, a lounge, a dining room and a shower room/w.c. Most places you get just a bedroom and have to share a lounge with others, sitting trying to make polite conversation and really only wanting to sit quietly and maybe watch that wild-life documentary, but have to sit whilst the others watch Coronation Street.. No such problem here at Catalina; you have SKY satellite package (400+ channels). YOU are the only guests and can watch what you like (or not) you've also got a radio and CD player, plus of course you've got a choice of over 200 books, if you just want to sit and read.. |  |
| No doubt you've stayed in accommodation with paper-thin walls? You might want to have an early night, but your bed-time is dictated by the couple in the next room who's TV is blaring out - no problem here! |  |
| Tariff (Including breakfast) | ||
| Total cost for Two Persons. | Total cost for One Person | |
| £52.00 | £35.00 | |
| So how much are we? Well although we're Top Quality and our remarkable 'repeat bookings' show we're popular, we actually ask less for the whole suite than others ask for just a bedroom and a shared lounge! |
| Why are we so reasonable? Well Pete & I have travelled extensively and actually experienced the rip-offs in some accommodation, we stayed once at a guest house that charged for the water on the dining table!, many places with pinned up notices 'don't do this', 'don't do that', the proprietors giving the impression that YOU the guests are a nuisance, and they don't really want you there, just hand over the money.. No, it's a long way to come to get up here in the first place, without getting taken for a ride with inflated prices, although now having a Tesco over in Wick and it's reasonable fuel prices, has helped the cost of motoring a lot! |  |
 | Secure parking on a level hard-standing. Meals; We also offer three-course meals (in your own private dining room of course!) all individually priced with a choice of 100% orange juice or four different soups, and a choice of five main courses (Salmon Fillet or Scottish Venison etc) and finishing off with a choice of five Sweets. We're fully prepared for vegetarians etc. Breakfast; the Full Scottish or a choice of four others. Is it any wonder that the AA Inspector wrote "Mention should be made of the food served both at dinner and breakfast which was most enjoyable". |
| What is there to do up here? Although we're quite remote; we've only got 2.3 people per square kilometre! There are a great many things to see and do apart from the splendour of the wide open skies, the deserted beaches, the mountains; (Ben Loyal, Klibreck, Hope) all easily within reach, the open heath land, walk south from here and it's near 30 miles before you'll hit your first road!.. |  |
| Trips to Cape Wrath Lighthouse, Day-trips to Orkney, Thurso - Britain's most northerly town, Museums, Clearance history, Forsinard RSPB Nature reserve, Smoo Cave, Castle of Mey, or just a stroll down to Strathy Point Lighthouse, often Minke whales in Strathy Bay.. there's not room here to give the available interests, so we've prepared a (free) 40-page brochure, just phone, click on the email link above, write and we'll get a copy out to you.. Of course you might just want to sit and relax and recharge those batteries! |
| Ah Midges - those pesky little biting insects that people seem to associate with Scotland, well we're lucky here in that 'maybe' we will get a few on some two or three days a year, most of the time we get a nice breeze. Being situated along the middle of the Far North coast makes Catalina an ideal base (or a handy over-night stop if heading East or West) to venture out. Having your own private suite means that when you go out, you will return to find things are as you left them - of course we service the suite - but your shower settings will be the same, that book you left open on the shelf will still be at the same page, as a Swiss guest said "it's like self-catering but with meals!". |
 | Unlike a lot of B & B's we stay open all year, so any season we are available, we have our 'regulars' in February and in October, the Winter is not a hard winter - actually in January and February it sometimes does not go below freezing. We might get a day or so of snow, but nothing to worry about. Fair enough in December the sun rises about 09.00 and sets about 15.00! But we're fully centrally heated and a bonus are the 'Northern Lights'; beautiful swathes of coloured lights coming from the north.. In the Summer of course the days are much longer, it hardly gets dark at all. We often walk up the hill and sit and watch as a flaming red sun gradually sinks into the North Atlantic - up here in Summer the Sun rises a few degrees east of north and sets a few degrees west of north! |
| We try to provide what others seem to overlook; the simple fact we have long thick velvet curtains in the bedroom (have you ever stayed somewhere where the morning sunlight blasts through or underneath keeping you awake?), having double duvets on the single beds, (had your feet sticking out of the bottom and the air coming in at the sides?) gratis bottles of water by the bed, the bed-lights are above you, not those silly fiddly bed-side lights which are awkward to switch on and you can't read by them anyway? Real ground coffee and selection of teas on your lounge table. A full size refrigerator in your dining room (for your snacks, wine etc).. |  |
| As you may see by the plan of the suite above you have a 432 square feet / 40 square metre apartment - just for the two of you, no noisy kids no boisterous dogs leaving their hairs everywhere, no having to wait whilst other guests settle down before you can drop off to sleep, no being jarred awake as another guests noisily bangs doors as they leave on early departure . Once we have said "good-night" we don't enter your suite until breakfast time next day, so you have total privacy. We hope you've enjoyed your web-browsing and can certainly see we are totally different from any other accommodation you might have come across, as we say in our brochure: "Come and see for yourself - you will not be disappointed!" Click on the email link under the 'National Clean Air Award' logo above.. A Few Guests Comments We've been in this business now since 1992 and we know a lot of you like to read what other people think of Catalina so to show we're not doing too bad, a few comments over the years… 1992: "Absolutely wonderful, what more can I say!" (Alan. Alvaston). "It was all we had hoped for and so much more!" (Bob & Jo Ann. USA). 1993: "If only all B & B's were as good as this! Lovely place and lovely welcome -it is the best B & B we have ever stayed at" (David & Elizabeth. East Sussex). 1994:"I think of my mother's as a 5 star hotel and you have matched it in one night, thank you for a wonderful time and making our holiday even more special" (Lynn & Derek. Wakefield). "Fabulous - what more can I say" (Helen & Bruce. Stockton-on-Tees). 1995: "A most pleasant stay with a gracious host and hostess in a gorgeous spot, hospitality and scenery had so much to offer - come visit!" (Steve & Karen. USA). "Wonderful people and place to stay, the best B & B I've ever stayed in, don't change a thing" (Robert. The Netherlands). 1996: "Thank you for a wonderful time. But I'm afraid every other B & B can only be a disappointment after Catalina!" (Lee & Jaqueline. London). "B & B?; Never! Sheer luxury in paradise" (Cyril & Eunice. Surrey). 1997: "The PARK LANE of the B & B's, superb cuisine. Hosts with the most!!" (Aileen & Joe. Australia). "Wonderful place to relax. FIRST CLASS in every way" (Keith & Margaret. Dunblane ). 1998: "One can only imagine such a perfect place exists in this world. Perfection!" (John & Margot. New York). "We enjoyed two marvellous days of superb hospitality. Thank you!" (Stephan & Barbara. Frankfurt). 1999: "Brilliant! everything is very well thought-out by warm and friendly hosts. Simply the best we've ever found!!" (Tony & Theresa. Aberystwyth). "In every respect - simply the best (Ray & Eth. Ross-on Wye). 2000:. "Warm welcome, lovely conversations, excellent facilities, good food and beautiful countryside, who could ask for anything more?!" (John & Helen. Suffolk). "Never before, have we had such a fantastic B & B," Martin & Rebecca. Switzerland). 2001: " We have B & B'd all over Britain and have never felt so at home and relaxed. (Tom & Jan. Texas). "Delicious meals, absolute peace & quiet and very warm welcome - the perfect place to stay" (David & Judy. Derby)2002: "Fabulous end to our holiday, Jane & Pete provided a welcome and quality of service and surroundings to put many five star hotels to shame!!" (Andrew & Suzanne. Lancashire). "Excellent - your patience and helpfulness exceeded all normal expectations…!" Pauline & Frank. Northhants)2003: "Warm, comfortable and welcoming, both house and hosts! And I could have said that within a minute of arriving" (Leo. Shropshire). "excellent clean fresh private accommodation, genuine host's and real food" (Tom & Enid. Peterborough)2004: "Found on the Internet. A unique B & B accommodation. The most hospitable and comfortable on our tour" (Norman & Barbara. Canada)."What a welcome! Best accommodation we have ever had. Easy to forget you are at a B & B and not visiting friends" (Glynn & Julie. Wales). 2005: "how nice - our hosts coming out in the rain to greet us! No wonder the world comes to you, friendly and very generous. Thank you" (John & Joan. Harrogate). "I'd hoped to find a perfect B & B but not expected to - this is it! Heaven Thank you so much - the best B & B ever!" (Ian & Diane. Australia). 2006: "Difficult to describe the hospitality. The hosts cannot be nicer and the comfort complete. We should give five stars. The place inspires quiet, we take away a very good memory of these days" (Piero & Anita. Italy). " First class in everything, sheer luxury, wonderful hospitality, must come again" (Eric & Joan. Derbyshire). 2007: "This is possibly the world's champion B & B. I have seen no rival to it in 44 years of travel" (Nicholas, Australia). "This is truly a destination B & B" (Bob & Anne, USA). And Now, right up to date: 2008: "UNBEATABLE!!! That's why we keep coming back - again and again, and hopefully, again!" (Pauline & Bill. Morayshire). "Jane & Peter think of everything for your stay, you want for nothing. Wonderful, tranquil and relaxing. Every detail catered for"( Michael & Linda. Inverness), "You both truly have thought of everything and your kindness to guests is really special"( Rob & Megan. Australia), "Words fail - and that's a first! Another fantastic stay, thank you Jane & Pete" (Brenda & Jean. Norfolk), "Our stay was most enjoyable, meals were excellent and the whole atmosphere just great, thank you so much for hosting us (Frank & Caroline. Germany), "Outstanding location, accommodation, brilliant super hosts" (Mike & Tricia. Devon), "Great in every respect. Must come back to experience fully. This is not B&B. It's home" (Sri & Inthu. Srilanka), "3rd visit, as perfect as the 1st 'a very special time in a very special place' thank you for everything" (David & Shirley. Devon). "Good food, good conversations, excellent guidebook and well thought out accommodation - cheers!" (John & Julie. Bristol). "We've just nipped home, keep the kettle on" (Stephen & Sharon. Falkirk). "what an amazing place and such lovely people" (Hans. Switzerland). "We loved every aspect of Catalina & the area. Jane & Pete are the best"( Phil & Janet. USA). "Top of the Top" (David & Cathy. Sussex) "Fabulous facilities and lovely personal service - wish we could have stayed longer!`"( Ed & Chris. Surrey). "we've stopped in castles and five star hotels and you're the best. thanks" (Brenda & Brandy. Canada). "Wonderful location, wonderful hosts at the end of the World - it's just great; thanks" (Alan & Janet. Suffolk) "Catalina was everything it promised to be and more after 35 days in B&B's in the UK, Catalina was the best by far. Thanks heaps!" (Roly & Gail. New Zealand). "Outstanding location, super accommodation, thank you Jane & Pete" (Paul & Janet. Chester). "We've never had such a 'warm' welcome; ever so touched., hospitality, food excellent, we'll be back; definitely. Thank you so much" (Gordon & Edna. Perth). "Only one word to describe our stay; PERFECT. Thank you both, it was great" (Mark & Julie. Newton-le-willows). "The hosts, location, accommodation, food all perfect, everything is just perfection again" (Harvey & Joyce. Leicester). "Two brilliant days started with a very warm welcome, thank you for making our stay so memorable - real attention to detail. Many thanks for being such brilliant and caring hosts" (Keith & Carole. Cambridge). "Thank you for your great hospitality, you have thought of absolutely everything" (Peter & Anne. Harrogate) "2nd Visit and WOW! It's just like coming home. Already booked for 2009. Jane and Pete should be on prescription and everyone should come and experience the brill food, warmth and superb sense of humour - so sorry to be going. A huge big thank you" (Paul & Tina. Nottingham). "Everything great; A1" (Stan & Sheila. Dundee). "1st visit for Janice, 3rd for Gordon and it was everything Gordon has said, but better, thank you very much and will see you again next year" (Gordon & Janice. Cheshire)."Wonderful Hospitality" (Ron & Kim South Africa). "How sad to be here for just one day, so much to see and do, such hospitality, what a find!" (Gill & Keith. Nottingham) |
Copyright © 2007, Catalina