The perfect family holiday at Cullen Hostel on the Moray Firth

Cullen Harbour Hostel offers a family holiday adventure on the far north east of Scotland.  The shores of the Moray Firth have stunningly beautiful coastlines, a haven for both people and wildlife.  The Hostel is located adjacent to Cullen’s small harbour beach, making it easy for parents to keep an eye on the children as they play. Coastal walks and the Speyside Way start right at the Hostel door including Cullen Bay, a beautiful stretch of sandy beach where dolphins are frequently spotted.

Hostel owner Ruth Hyde has found that families have naturally gravitated to the hostel through word of mouth recommendation. Often a family which has had a great stay will return, forming a larger group with other families who are friends. The flexible accommodation is perfect for families with two 5-bed dorms (with interlinking doors) and 4-bed family room.  The bedrooms are roomy with sturdy, comfortable single beds which can be put together to make a double.  Full length curtains surrounding the beds provide privacy or they can be linked to form 2 to 5-bed ‘cubicles' which children especially enjoy. The on-site self-catering cottage for 3-4 guests extends the possibilities of flexible accommodation.

Hostelling is very attractive to families because of the option to self-cater.  The communal kitchen at Cullen Harbour Hostel is spacious and well kitted out with the adjacent sitting area ideal for children to play or help prepare meals. The village co-op has most provisions that would be needed and is open until 10pm.  Otherwise there are large supermarkets in nearby Buckie.

There is all-day access to the hostel, and a very laid back approach which families really appreciate.  As a mother to four children herself, Ruth is keen for parents to relax and not worry about rules or mess.  The floors throughout the Hostel are Caithness flagstone, so no need to worry if children forget to take their shoes off, or shake sand from the beach on the floor.  The wetroom shower, always lovely and hot, is ideal for rinsing off sandy bodies after a day on the beach. 

Another aspect that parents love, especially for older children, is that the Hostel location is off road but near to village facilities which allows a freedom and safety seldom available to families these days. Children can go off and buy ice creams from Cullen’s famous ice cream shop and enjoy the cafes, chippy and other small shops independently. 

For a day out and about apart from the beach and walking, there is a great choice of activities in the area from golfing in Cullen, mountain biking at Fochabers to surfing at Sandend. There are some charming communities to visit including Portsoy, Banff and the working harbours of Buckie and Macduff. Children particularly love the Macduff Aquarium or a boat trip on the Gemini Explorer based at Buckie.

Within an hours drive there is a further diverse choice of activities in this fascinating far flung corner of Scotland including the whisky experience at the many distilleries, the stone circle at Aikey Brae, near Old Deer, and the R.S.P.B. reserve at Loch Strathbeg. 

for further information telephone Cullen Harbour Hostel on 01542 841997  or contact Ruth on 07432 591201 or Howard on 07912 079416

www.cullenharbourholidays.com Port Long Road, Cullen, AB56 4AG