Late availability for an outdoor adventure for Christmas and New Year

If your passion is to get out and active over the Festive Season we still have some last minute availability in three of our comfortable Bunkhouses in the North West Highlands.  This is your chance to getaway at very little cost!

Kinlochewe Bunkhouse, Kinlochewe Hotel
Enjoy an affordable stay in the bunkhouse while enjoying all the facilities of the hotel! The bunkhouse sleeps 12 guests in one bunkroom and has full self-catering facilities, showers, toilets, central heating and a drying room. Groups and individuals are welcome. The cost is only £16.50 per person per night but note to bring your sleeping bag and towel.  The Kinlochewe Hotel & Bunkhouse is a small family run business set in the heart of the Torridon mountains at the foot of Beinn Eighe with Slioch, Liathach and Beinn Alligin all close by. Andrew and Gail Sneddon took over the hotel in 2006 and have made it a cosy and welcoming place to stay.  They have developed an excellent reputation for their home cooked food using high quality local ingredients with at least one vegetarian option available. With a great selection of malt whiskies and real ales in the bar, what are you waiting for!?  Contact Andrew or Gail on 01445 760253 www.kinlochewehotel.co.uk

Forest Way Bunkhouse, near Ullapool.   

This cosy, modern bunkhouse, sleeping 8 guests is available for exclusive use for Christmas and New Year.  Two rooms each sleep four guests with an ensuite in each room. There is suberb high and low level walking from the bunkhouse door. On the doorstep are more Munros and Corbetts than you can shake a stick at. Beinn Dearg and her companions can be climbed immediately from the bunkhouse and the Fannich Hills, An Teallach and the Fisherfield forest are all within a few miles. For the more adventurous the Ullapool Gorges are practically on the doorstep and offer some unique scrambling opportunities.

After a day in the hills, the bunkhouse has everything you need; lounge, dining area and kitchen with full facilities; a drying room; underfloor heating; free Wi-Fi; a secure area for bicycles and off-road parking.  Contact Iain  01854 655330 www.forestway.co.uk 

Ledgowan Lodge Bunkhouse, Achnasheen. 

This small, cosy bunkhouse, located in the midst of the Munros, has availability for up to 10 guests in 5 two-bunk rooms, over Christmas and New Year. Only £16.50 pppn; bring your own towel and linen. The Bunkhouse is perfectly situated for the hill walker, climber and within easy walking or driving distance of several mountain ranges including the Torridon and Fannich ranges and the mountain Fionn Bheinn is on the door step. Note that Ledgowan Lodge is not available over the festive period for food and drink. Contact Craig  01445 720252  www.ledgowanlodge.co.uk 

Affordable and Idyllic Festive Island Getaways

If you are still deciding what to do for Christmas and New Year, check out 7 of our island hostels with availability for a tranquil retreat over the festive season; from Arran and the Hebrides to the Orkney Islands, these hostels are all located in the most beautiful areas of Scotland. 

Isle of Coll: Coll Bunkhouse, Isle of Coll, Inner Hebrides

Catch the ferry from Oban to the delightful small island of Coll, famous for the amazing sky at night.  Coll Bunkhouse is open over Christmas and New Year at £21.00 pppn.  Groups booking the hostel on an exclusive basis for 3 nights receive a discount of 25% meaning the whole bunkhouse for up to 16 guests is available for only £252 per night! 01879 230217

Isle of Skye: Portree Independent Hostel, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides

Portree Independent Hostel on Skye is family friendly and offers a traditional, warm Scottish welcome.  The hostel has bunkroom availability for both Christmas and New Year at £19.00 pppn- stay for 3 nights at only £17.00 pppn. A Chef-cooked Christmas dinner is available for a small cost with community events setting the festive atmosphere in the town. Contact Pat or Gordon on 01478 613 737 

Isle of Skye: The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse, Uig, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides

If you are still looking for somewhere special to spend Hogmanay - look no further!  The newly refurbished Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse still has plenty of space so why not come alone or bring friends. This is definitely an outstanding place to bring in 2016 for only £20.00pppn.  Phone Catherine on 07917 536 820

Isle of Harris: The Backpackers Stop. Tarbert, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

For the perfect escape from the madness of Christmas and New Year, The Backpackers Stop in Tarbert on the Isle of Harris is open for Christmas and New Year at £20.00pppn. A walk on breathtakingly beautiful Luskentyre Beach would set you up for the New Year! Phone Lee on 01859 502163 

Orkney: Papa Westray Hostel, Isle of Papa Westray

Get away from it all and join in with the community festivities. Papa Westray Hostel has comfortable en-suite rooms and dorm beds available throughout Christmas & New Year - stay 2 nights and get 3rd night half price. Papa Westray is a great place to get away from it all or experience warm island hospitality for a traditional island dinner/dance. Contact Jennifer on 01857 644224

Orkney: Hamnavoe Hostel, Stromness, Orkney Mainland

If you want to avoid all the fuss and fireworks, bring in the New Year with the Pipe Band on the Pierhead in Stromness with perhaps a display of the Northern Lights if you are lucky.  Hamnavoe Hostel has rooms available over Christmas and New Year, with single, family and twin accommodation. Stromness is the perfect base for exploring Orkney. For more information call George on 01856 851202

Isle of Arran: Kilmory Bunkhouse, Kilmory, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire

Join in with the community at Kilmory Bunkhouse for Christmas and New Year.  There are community festivities at nearby Kildonan and a community celebration on January 2nd in Kilmory Hall which guests are welcome to join in with.  Prices start at £21.00 pppn for dorms with ensuite family rooms available. There is a special rates for groups and a community bus for hire.  Contact Andrea on 01770 870 345 

A one-off opportunity to run your own Hostel!

An opportunity to run a new Hostel in Anstruther, Fife, an idyllic coastal village just 15 minutes from St Andrews.

We get frequent enquiries from people who are attracted by the lifestyle choice of running a Hostel, but buying a Hostel is a major financial commitment. However, for those who would like to learn the ropes, without the financial commitment of purchase, here is the chance to dip your toe in the water - by leasing a Hostel in one of the most attractive seaside villages in Scotland. The Murray Hostel has 30 bedspaces and is on offer at a rental of £1000 per month plus VAT.

The Murray Hostel is centrally located in the picturesque "East Neuk" seaside town of Anstruther in Fife. The three storey C-listed building, which was built in 1908, overlooks the harbour and is close to the Fife Coastal Path which attracts around 500,000 visitors a year. 

Anstruther is a very popular destination for visitors and the Hostel accommodation would be attractive to families, groups and individual travellers.

The building has been sensitively converted to a very high standard, keeping many of the original features, to provide 30 bedspaces in 7 bedrooms with adjacent toilets and shower rooms. 

Bedrooms are on the first and second floors with spectacular sea views, apart from a ground floor bedroom with en-suite bathroom for guests with disabilities.

On each of the first and second floors there are 2 bedrooms to sleep 4 guests, and 1 bedroom to sleep 6 guests with adjacent 2 toilets and 2 shower rooms. The second floor has an additional separate bathroom which could be private to one of the rooms

The ground floor kitchen and dining room look out over the harbour; this area is fully

accessible. The kitchen is well kitted out, including oven and hob.

The hostel is centrally heated, with Wifi.Guests also have the use of a large common room with TV point and a laundry room. There is a separate managers office.

The Murray Library Trust is a registered charity and landlord of the Hostel. The Hostel is offered as a lease for a business opportunity at £12,000 + VAT per annum with proposals from interested parties to be received by the 30th November 2015. 

The Trust suggests that viewing is highly recommended with the opportunity for prospective operators to put their own stamp on the property and the business.


Contact geraldcooper47@gmail.com Tel. 01333 312410

At the Hostel Door: July, 2015.

Abernethy Highland Games August 8th 2015

Is it me or, despite this early summer's weather being not quite scorching, are not hostel folk as well on the move around Scotland much as ever?   We see no let up in visitors here whatsoever and that is good news for all. Importantly we think, as well as saying 'Hello' to new arrivals, we do our very best also to say 'Goodbye'.  Often there are bits of chat in between of course but with one nighters that might be slender. 

We find that it is at the 'Goodbye' stage that most guests linger a bit to tell something of themselves, discover more about us and maybe ask for help with their forward journey plans.  



Yet more pipe bands - with Smugglers Hostel

So many are going from hostel to hostel and it is really great to be able to identify with their route and destinations.   

Quite often we know, or know of, the other hostels  and although the SIH scene is changing and healthily expanding we still find ourselves sending greetings far and wide:-  Rousay Hostel, Orkney, Badralloch, Dundonnell – again!, Sleeperzzz, Rogart, The Poor House, Tongue, Dun Flodigarry, Skye – again!, Cullen Harbour, Hostel, Comrie Croft, Iona Hostel, Smugglers Hostel, Tomintoul and Haggis Hostels, Edinburgh have, just this year, each been sent a jolly message from us via ever willing hosteller couriers. 

A hostel wedding!

Now we don't do weddings.  We are too small and not geared up for that kind of invasion.  That said, we have just done one.  Rather, 'they', the bride and groom and their ten guests 'did' it.  They brought absolutely everything from plastic plates, gleaming picnic cutlery, glasses, Malbec red wine, magnificent pate's, cheese, meats and exquisite 'Jolie' champagne.  We did the flowers from our riot of a wild flower garden. The Registrar from the local town was recruited to conduct the ceremony on a Monet style bridge spanning our watercourse and the bride and groom sang their own composition with guitar accompaniment from a musically talented guest. 

There were two rather astonishing aspects to that memorable day.  Firstly, our whole hostel team was invited as guests to witness the ceremony and then to join in the feast which followed under cover outdoors.  Secondly, Benoit and Sophie with their whole wedding party had come from France.  They had been in Scotland only once.  Ireland they knew, but it was Scotland with its misty ambience of legend and fling they wanted.  Then, from a wealth of equally worthy possibilities they chose to come here for their bespoke event.   

The romance of a hostel wedding

When the couple sang, the sun broke through and with the Scottish dancing which followed, led quite terribly by Hostelkeeper, the happy event rolled on through several bottles until it was time for the taxi to take our French guests away to dinner.  At the pub, an icon for traditional music, and as accomplished singers and players,  they had been invited to contribute to the evening's musical entertainment.  The whole day was rounded off by fiddler Charlie McKerron and friends en route from the west coast, who had us and the whole place hopping until throwing out time. 

When the party left us on tour for the Black Isle, Ullapool and the Inveraray Games   http://www.inveraray-games.co.uk/    we experienced a sense of loss.   They took with them our fondest good wishes and the engraved quaich we commissioned for them. Would we do it again?  Unlikely, unless we could be convinced that what we have on offer here really would meet the expectations of the wedding party and be well within our own coping capacities. 

A week later our team took a few hours off to brave the incredibly high winds at the Tomintoul Games.   http://www.tomintoulhighlandgames.co.uk/   I blethered early on to old pal, Jimmy Hamilton from Aberdeen.  Jimmy was one of two judges for the senior piping event.  We agreed that just how, in that gale, any pipe could be properly heard or kilt managed without indecency was beyond us.  If the hammer throw had ended up being carried as far as Ballater we would not have been surprised.  The Games though survived and we all hurried back for the arrivals of hostel and camping guests at 4.00pm.  The next traditional Highland Games in the annual circuit is of course the Abernethy Highland Games  http://nethybridge.com/highland-games/   at Nethy Bridge on Saturday 8th August. Jimmy might  be there and our team, hopes to make the trip for a few hours. 

By the way, and for connoisseurs, the legendary 'Whisky Castle' Tomintoul  http://www.whiskycastle.com/   has just changed hands.  Mike and Cathy Drury have, after a twelve year distinguished and riotously hospitable tenure, departed for a life of B&B to Fionnphort by the ferry to Iona from Mull.   Scott and Sam Ashforth are now dispensing the tasters and aiming to progress the business.  I for one wish them well. Each successive owner of The Whisky Castle seems miraculously to combine a thorough knowledge of the vast range of over five hundred  malts they stock and the secret world of  whisky production for which The Whisky Castle has been a noted ambassador for over one hundred years. 

If the tastings on offer prove too much for you to travel, consider toddling up the road to The Smugglers' Hostel   http://www.thesmugglershostel.co.uk/    where Kerry and her team will bathe your head. Sorry, they might bathe your head. 

Next month a small gathering of hostel owners and managers arrives here for what has become something of a punctuation mark in our year.  Not that we do it every year but now seems just the time to revive this convivial and useful tradition.  Why useful?  The 'Bite & Blether'  gathering, well over twenty years old, has been an irregular, liberating and quite unofficial  way of sharing one with another just the latest gossip, good news, bad news and in between news.  No speeches, unless one of us is retiring, just good yet meaningful 'craic'. 

That way there is a three way benefit:-  at home, we learn from our hostel guests and tailor what hospitality we can offer accordingly.  We pass that 'learning' exercise on to other hostel owners who have come to the gathering bringing contributions of food and whatever.  Each of us then has the opportunity to translate those experiences of our friends and colleagues into our own hostel's forward planning to make the whole experience a roll of good news for those guests who come to us next. 

Enjoy the summer. 

Hostelkeeper 

 

Saddle Mountain Hostel; new owners and a new name!

Saddle Mountain Hostel, previously Invergarry Lodge, is now owned and run by Greg Barclay and Helen Cunningham.Helen was born in London and if asked will tell the story of how her love of the outdoors was triggered by a placemat of Glencoe. She began her journey north in the 1980s, studying map-making in Newcastle, and finally reached Scotland in 1993.Greg comes from Aberdeen; he has lived and worked in Scotland all his life, and has always preferred holidays to work! Greg used to be a solicitor; now he is a part-time barista.

They married in 1996 and immediately started planning an escape from their jobs. They went on a round the world trip and on their return they settled in Inverness and have lived in the Highlands ever since.

They have put a very personal stamp on their new venture.  The name “Saddle Mountain” combines their love of walking and cycling up mountains. The “Saddle” refers to a bike saddle and geographical feature marking the lowest point between mountains. The inspiration for the red and white colours on the logo and throughout the hostel came from the red and white signs marking trekking routes across Europe.

Nature lovers Greg and Helen have created a Planning Corner in the Hostel.  Full of guidebooks and maps and with a sofa, its purpose is to inform and inspire guests about the local area

Before re-opening, the Hostel lounge was refurbished with a new carpet, sofas and armchairs with a large TV and music centre for guests’ use. The dining room was re-floored and is now home to the Hostel's new Espresso Hub.  Guests will be able to kick start their day with a genuine Italian coffee, for a small additional charge.

The Hostel has now been open for three weeks and Helen and Greg are delighted at the huge variety of people staying.  In the first week they had groups from George Watson’s College in Edinburgh and Stocket Hillwalking Club in Aberdeen. There were Spanish touring cyclists, the Iron Drivers on their Harleys from Switzerland, Rene from Austria walking the Scottish National Trail, Janet Crossley walking from John O’Groats to Land’s End, touring families, and a whole host of hill walkers.  What they find most appealing is that everyone has story to tell, and they could (and sometimes do) talk to guests for hours.

They find it so interesting to hear where people have been and where they are going and try to help out when asked with their own knowledge.

The Hostel is found in Invergarry in the Great Glen, a short drive from Loch Ness, between Fort William and Inverness.  Its location nestled amongst mountains, glens, lochs and forests make it a great starting place to explore the Scottish Highlands.

Saddle Mountain Hostel sleeps up to 26 people in 5 bedrooms and its spacious and comfortable facilities include a large self-catering kitchen, separate dining room and a relaxing visitors' lounge.  There's also free Wi-Fi, a drying room and plenty of storage for bikes.

Find out more about Saddle Mountain Hostel on the new website, where you can also book online

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