Location, Location, Location

Hostelling isn't what it used to be

Present-day parents looking back to their own youth probably remember hostels as spartan places populated with grumpy hillwalkers, where we slept on lumpy mattresses in our dorms and had a warden chase us around to do our chores in the morning.  

When the Scottish Youth Hostel Association celebrated its 75th birthday last year, it marked the event with a drive to make sure we’d all realised how much the hostels have changed in recent years. 

The SYHA has seen a lot of business go to the thriving independent hostel scene in Scotland, where rules are more relaxed and private rooms have become more common. As a result, the SYHA has ditched the curfew and the chores, even allowing alcohol on the premises. They have introduced cosy family rooms with en-suite facilities. These can accommodate up to five family members in bunk beds, one of them with a double bed on the bottom. And let’s face it, what more could any five-year-old want in this world, beyond any toy, book or other form of entertainment, than to sleep on the top bunk.  

All the hostels have cooking facilities, so you can keep costs down by making your own meals, although some provide cooked meals and packed lunches if required.  

Most hostels also have games rooms and TV lounges where the family can chill out after a busy day outdoors. But who needs a TV when there are other kids running around to play with? Yes, the youth hostel scene has changed.  

And perhaps most important of all – hostelling works out to be a reasonably inexpensive way of getting away with the kids, with family rooms costing around £50 per night. 

So where to go? Imagine sleeping in a haunted castle or would you rather wake up with the beach on your doorstep and head out for surfing lessons first thing in the morning? Perhaps the wee ones want to go hunting for Nessie or head instead to Tobermory in search of PC Plum. The selection could not be better and once you have had your first family hostelling experience you may think twice about spending your hard earned money on the other child-friendly alternatives on offer.  

The following hostels all have family rooms: 

Highlands and Islands 

Carbisdale Castle 

The kids are bound to love the chance to stay in a real castle, up in the beautiful Kyle of Sutherland. Carbisdale was built for the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland and comes with its own statue gallery, bike trails and there’s even rumours of a ghost. 

Ratagan 

If your kids are into walking, this hostel has one of the best locations in the country. From its lochside garden, the views across to the Five Sisters mountain range are breathtaking. The hostel is also near the world famous Eilean Donan castle, which you can see from the front of the building.  

Tobermory  

If Balamory is a favourite in your house, then a trip to the Isle of Mull is essential, and the recently-renovated youth hostel at Tobermory makes a great location. Located right on the harbour, it is warm and inviting. 

Port Charlotte 

Stay in an old whisky warehouse on the beach in the picturesque village of Port Charlotte, on the island of Islay. Along with its outstanding natural beauty, this island is also famed for its diverse and plentiful wildlife, and is home to two RSPB nature reserves.  

Countryside 

Rowardennan Lodge 

This is in one of Scotland’s most idyllic settings, but not far to drive from the Central Belt. Rowardennan has Loch Lomond on its door step and the magnificent Munro Ben Lomond in the back garden. 

Pitlochry 

There’s a great family hostel in this picturesque town, which has beautiful lochs, woodland and hills all around it. 

New Lanark 

You can get to this beautifully-restored 18th century cotton mill village in less than an hour from either Glasgow or Edinburgh, and there are lots to do to make it worth an overnight stay in this old millworkers’ house.  

City hostels 

Edinburgh Central 

The SYHA only opened this new hostel at the end of last year, and it’s got great facilities for the family.  

Glasgow 

The hostel is located in the city’s West End, not far from the recently refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Transport Museum and the Science Centre just across the Clyde.  

Stirling 

The city’s hostel is modern and spacious and has excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Close to Stirling Castle, the Town Jail and the legendary Wallace Monument, you could say it has the best of town and country.  

Inverness 

This is reckoned to be one of the best hostels in the country, and makes a great base to go Nessie hunting on Loch Ness, or dolphin spotting on the Moray Firth. Or if the kids are brushing up on their history, how about a trip to the nearby Culloden battlefield? 

Adventure 

Braemar 

If there’s snow, this former shooting lodge is within easy reach of both the Glenshee ski centre and the Lecht. It’s also a great base for exploring Royal Deeside, and has a pool table in the games room. 

Cairngorm Lodge 

Base yourselves in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, just two miles from the Cairngorm mountain railway and right next to Loch Morlich, which has all kinds of watersports for the kids.  

Aviemore 

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Highland resort town, this hostel is a great spot to explore the area and there are countless things for the kids to do, from grass sledging to visiting the reindeer, regardless of the weather.  

Coldingham Sands 

This hostel not far from Edinburgh is great for younger surfers or those just starting out. The beach is just a two minute walk away and is great for surfing, sea-fishing and swimming. 

Melrose 

This is a former Georgian mansion has extensive private grounds for the kids to run about in. Melrose is home to the famous rugby sevens and is a short drive from Glentress, Scotland’s mountain-biking mecca.  

The SYHA offers free membership to children under 16 and have also introduced the family and friends membership category which allows a group of up to nine people to stay for an annual fee of only £12. To get more information on any of these hostels, or to book a room, visit www.syha.org.uk or call 0870 1 55 32 55.