About this property
Northbanks House is a striking detached home set within the quiet farming community of Murkle, just outside Thurso, offering a wonderfully spacious retreat for up to 18 guests. With six bedrooms, generous living areas, and far-reaching views towards Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the British mainland, and the Orkney Islands beyond, this property makes an exceptional base for families and groups eager to experience the wild beauty of the Highlands. A private tree-lined driveway sweeps you away from the single-track road and into your own peaceful hideaway, where parking for at least five cars and a large wrap-around garden immediately set the tone for a relaxed, uninterrupted stay.
The garden itself offers multiple vantage points, including a crazy-paved seating area at the rear and an additional viewpoint along the side, perfect spots to settle with a morning coffee or take in the changing colours of the northern sky even with a chance to see the stunning Northern Lights. Inside, the welcome begins in the tiled vestibule, from here you step into an impressively vast hallway with wooden flooring flowing throughout the ground floor. This level is thoughtfully arranged for both gathering together and spreading out, a games room, a formal lounge with tri-aspect windows and a large TV, and a second, more relaxed family lounge featuring a log burner, wall-mounted TV, and direct access to the side garden patio and hot tub area.
A bright conservatory/sun lounge gives you yet another space to unwind, complete with comfortable seating and doors to the back garden. The kitchen with a double Belfast sink and dining room are the heart of the home with a vast, high-end space designed for sociable cooking and long, leisurely meals. With a central island, electric AGA, additional electric oven/grill, combination/microwave oven, American-style fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser, five-ring gas hob, and dishwasher, it has everything needed for feeding a full house. The dining table seats up to twelve, making group dinners a pleasure rather than a chore. A utility room with a sink, washing machine, pulley, and ample storage sits nearby, along with a hallway for additional coat and boot space, an office for those who need a quiet workspace, and a back door leading to the garden.
Upstairs, the sleeping accommodation is arranged around a wooden staircase and offers space, comfort, and flexibility for mixed groups. They include an emperor-size bedroom with a Smart TV, along with a king-size bedroom also offering a Smart TV and an en-suite shower room with a walk-in shower, basin and WC, as well as a sofa bed making this a family room. The family bunk room provides a great space for younger guests, while the triple bedroom includes a double and two singles with an en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC. A further double bedroom also features a sofa bed, making it ideal for family use, and the final bedroom offers an additional double bed The family bathroom boasts a bath with an overhead shower, ideal for unwinding after long walks.
Only a short drive from Thurso, with its beaches, shops, and riverside walks, Northbanks House places you perfectly for adventures across Caithness. Explore Dunnet for its dramatic headland trails, golden sands, and distillery tours, or head into the countryside around Spital to discover ancient broch sites and sweeping hilltop views. Whether you're drawn to wildlife spotting, coastal hikes, heritage attractions, or simply quiet evenings with unforgettable sunsets, this exceptional property provides a welcoming and luxurious base for your Highland escape.
Castletown lies close to the north coast of the Highlands of Scotland, five miles from Thurso and features buildings made mostly from the local stone. With a hotel, grocery store and butchers the village can cater for all your needs and if you feel like a night off from cooking you can visit the fish and chip shop on your way home. The village’s past can be discovered at the Flagstone Heritage Trail and the Castlehill Heritage Centre. Nearby Thurso is the most northerly town in mainland Scotland and also boasts the country's most northerly railway station! From here guests can take a ferry across to Orkney, leaving from Scrabster harbour just to the west of the town. Orkney is a great place to visit and the ferry crosses regularly throughout the year. If you take your car then remember to book first! Thurso benefits from a pretty seafront location and from here you can see the remains of Thurso Castle. The Caithness Horizons museum is housed in the old Town Hall and is certainly well worth a visit. The newer part of the town benefits from wide streets with Sir John's Square at the centre. It is also situated perfectly for a visit to John O'Groats, which is just 14 miles away and Durness, where Smoo Cave, Cape Wrath and the Durness Golf Course are well worth a visit.
Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: HI-01074-FEPC Rating: Band D
Accommodation
Note: This property can sleep up to 18 guests, There is a supplementary charge of £40 per additional guest over 12, per stay.
Six bedrooms: 1 x Emperor-size bed with smart TV, 1 x King-size with smart TV, en-suit shower room, walk in shower, basin and WC with sofa bed (Family room), 1 x Family bunk, 1 x Triple room (1 x double and 2 x singles) with en-suite walk-in shower , basin and WC, 1 x Double with sofa bed (Family room) 1 x Double.
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Ground-floor shower room with basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Utility/drying room.
Sitting room with ornamental gas fire.
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Note: Starter pack of wood will be provided.
Conservatory/sun lounge.
Games room.
Office/Study including two monitors for working from home.
Oil central heating.
Electric AGA oven, electric oven/grill, combination microwave oven, five-ring gas hob, American-style fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser, dishwasher, washing machine, kettle, toaster.
Smart TVs, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for 8 cars.
EV charging available not included in rent.
Enclosed wrap-around garden with seating areas and firepit.
Sorry no smoking inside.
Note: No pets allowed upstairs or on any furniture in the property.
Note: Please keep pets on leads at all times outside the property.
Shop and pub 1 mile, river 2 mile, beach 1.5 miles