Setting the standard for a stag party!

A group of ten stayed at the Cullen harbour Hostel on 11 and 12 December 2015 in order to celebrate the stag party of James Dodds who married Laura Willox on 19 December in Perthshire. Not content with a humdrum stag party they preferred to make the most of the history and natural beauty of Scotland. This stag party had a tough act to follow after pictures from the group's previous stag party on Skye attracted more than 25 million online visitors and coverage from the BBC.

They booked exclusive use of Cullen Harbour Hostel. The unique style of the hostel fitted in with the theme for the stag party.  It has an authentic, hand-built feel, with flagstone floors, exposed roof beams and chunky bed frames.

It was an excellent base for embarking upon a Viking feast in the nearby derelict Findlater Castle.

On the Saturday afternoon, food, chairs and an oak table were carried along the coastal path to the 14th Century Findlater Castle. On arrival they identified the perfect spot – a room overlooking the sea cliffs and with a vaulted ceiling to protect from the winter chill. The dining table was duly set up and the group had a fabulous meal of roast pork (locally bred in Speyside). They drank their way through a keg of locally brewed dark ale and told ghost stories sitting around the old fireplace.

At the end of the evening they lit flaming torches (prepared by a professional fireman) to light the journey back to the hostel. It was a cloudless sky with no moon and as they crunched through frosty grass they had a really privileged view of the Gemenid Meteor Shower to mark the end of a fabulous night of celebration. They returned the next day to collect their furniture and remove all traces of their presence

Howard Owens of Cullen Harbour Hostel commented “Stag parties can be problematic but these guys were great. They were simply in pursuit of pure pleasure which was fit, healthy and purposeful as well as fun.

This sets an example that you can have a good time without being drunk and offensive and messy but without being tame and boring too. For these lads, it was a question of doing something one stage more ambitious than their last stag party on Skye. I like the idea of being energetic and outdoors whilst partying. This type of group is welcome at Cullen Harbour Hostel anytime!”

The Structure of Findlater Castle is much deteriorated with large cracks in many of the walls so the group and Cullen Harbour Hostel want to make it very clear they are not recommending this particular experience to others!

The amount of coverage the group are getting in the media does seem to demonstrate they are setting the standard for a stag party!

View the coverage in the Scottish Sun of the Findlater Castle Stag Party

View the BBC coverage of the Skye stag party

New Scottish Independent members for 2016

We would like to welcome our ten new Members in 2016.  We are delighted that such a unique variety of  Independent Hostels, all based in stunning locations throughout Scotland are now members of our Association. 

Ardenbeg Bunkhouse, Grantown-on-Spey, Cairngorms

Ardenbeg Bunkhouse is part of Craggan Outdoors Activity Centre, offering good value accommodation for groups of up to 23 people in a variety of rooms; the 4-bed, 5-bed, 6-bed and 8-bed rooms all have their own private bathroom facilities.  Craggan Outdoors offers a range of outdoor activities for groups of all abilities. The Bunkhouse is located on a quiet road in Grantown-on-Spey just 15 minutes from Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, with access to all that the area offers.

www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk 

Ardtornish Bunkhouse, Loch Aline, 

Campbeltown Bunkhouse, Mull of Kintyre

Campbeltown Backpackers in Kintyre is just 10 minutes from the ferry terminal. There are two dorm rooms providing 16 beds and excellent kitchen facilities, a dining area and lounge; wifi, a drying room and a secure bike store are also available for guests.  The Hostel is ideally situated for exploring the region for walkers and cyclists with the famous Campbeltown Whisky Distillery next door.

www.campbeltownbackpackers.co.uk

Inchnadamph Lodge, Near Lochinver, Assynt

Inchnadamph Lodge is a former Highland shooting lodge surrounded by the spectacular mountain scenery of Assynt in the Northern Highlands. It is an ideal base for walkers, climbers, families and backpackers to explore the area. The Lodge provides quality low-cost accommodation for groups, families and individuals in both hostel style dormitory rooms and private double rooms.

www.inch-lodge.co.uk

Isle of Muck Bunkhouse, Small Isles, Inner Hebrides

Visit the Isle of Muck for a total escape amongst wonderful wildlife and scenery. Muck, together with its neighbours Eigg, Rum and Canna, form the group of idyllic islands, the “Small Isles”. The Isle of Muck Bunkhouse is situated with views of the shore and sleeps up to 8 guests in 4 rooms with the option of exclusive use.

www.isleofmuck.com

Loch Nevis Bunkhouse and Centre, Loch Nevis

Be a castaway with your group to the remotest bunkhouse in the West Highlands. With a spectacular mountain loch side location, Loch Nevis Centre is situated at Ardintigh Bay on the shore of Loch Nevis, accessible only by boat or on foot. It is owned by adventurer Tom McClean, the first man to row alone across the North Atlantic from Canada to Ireland, amongst other daring exploits

www.outdoorcentrescotland.co.uk

Boreland Loch Tay Bunkhouse, Highland Perthshire

Boreland Loch Tay Bunkhouse is a perfect getaway in the heart of Highland Perthshire. From the Bunkhouse there are outstanding panoramic views of Loch Tay. The Bunkhouse can comfortably cater for large groups, including stag and hen, or special occasion breaks with activity packages on offer. The Bunkhouse sleeps 20 guests and is newly refurbished to a high standard with excellent facilities

www.borelandlochtay.co.uk


Skyewalker Hostel, Isle of Skye

True Scottish hospitality awaits you at the family-run Skyewalker Hostel on the Isle of Skye. The Hostel is an ideal base from which to explore the Cuillin mountain range, swim in the Fairy Pools, take a tour of Talisker whisky distillery, spot a sea eagle or a shooting star and see for yourself the spectacular, wild landscapes of the Isle of Skye. The hostel can sleep up to 40 people and has a variety of clean, comfortable rooms on offer, from private, 2-bed bunk rooms to a 10-bed dorm.
www.skyewalkerhostel.com

The Weem Inn, Highland Perthshire

The Weem Inn is a very historic building with original features, located in Highland Perthshire in a beautiful, natural setting near Aberfeldy. It is close to some of the most exciting activities in Scotland from white water rafting to kayaking , paintballing to mountain climbing, with kayaks and cycles available from the Inn. There is a choice of rooms, which are all ensuite, to suit all budgets with a self-catering kitchen and spacious lounge.

www.theweeminn.com

The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse, Uig, Skye

The 33-bed Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse is in a wonderful spot overlooking Uig on the Isle of Skye with stunning coastal views and a great location to explore everything the island has to offer. With luxury bunks and excellent facilities, this is a not the traditional idea of a bunkhouse, very much designed with the comfort of guests in mind.  It is a luxurious but friendly retreat from exploring the beauty and wilderness of the Isle of Skye.

www.skyecowshed.co.uk