Sunday, 10 February 2013

AT THE HOSTEL DOOR

There was an expression of deep thankfulness in the man's face.  The traces of anxiety I picked up immediately on opening the door to him vanished and even the transitory look of guarded disbelief lasted only a second or two.  Yes indeed we did have room for him in the hostel.  Just as well really for dusk was on us, snow on the ground, the temperature  already minus three and had we been full and with no bed for him I could see myself needing to put him in the Landy and both of us heading off to a neighbouring hostel with available beds.

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

What is Hostelling in Scotland?

Lets take a look at the hostel sector in Scotland - do you really know what it offers?

There is a diverse variety of rooms from dormitories with bunks to family rooms with ensuites.  There is a wide variety of buildings from lighthouses and railway sleepers to Georgian Town Houses.  There are different styles of hostel accommodation from backpackers and bothies to bunkhouses and of course, well, hostels.  Sometimes hostels are part of activity centres or university campuses - no wonder people get confused! So what sets hostels apart from other types of low cost accommodation?  Certain factors are the same across all hostels.