Goodbye Abernethy Bunkhouses, we'll miss you!

This week, Abernethy Bunkhouses said goodbye to their last guests, marking the end of an era.  Not only has the hostel been home to many happy groups over the years, Patricia and Richard have been a huge part of Scottish Independent Hostels, giving up their time to promote hosteling across Scotland.

You'll be sadly missed by everyone at SIH and all your guests.  Enjoy your "retirement" 😉!

To end the blog on a happy note, we still have wonderful hostels in the area:

The Lazy Duck Hostel  - A hidden gem with wood fired hot tub and sauna, in Nethy Bridge. Phil and Sarah offer a very warm welcome to guests visiting the Cairngorms National Park.

Nearby:

Fraoch Lodge - Andy and Rebecca run Scot Mountain Holidays from Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms. The hostel is perfect for keen walkers, cyclists, wildlife enthusiasts. 

Ardenbeg Bunkhouse - Keith and his family run the award-winning Craggan Outdoors activity centre, based in Grantown-on-Spey, near Aviemore. The hostel can sleep groups of up to 23 people.

The Smugglers Hostel - 'Highest Hostel in the Scottish Highlands'! Located in the picturesque village of Tomintoul, this four star, 20-bed hostel is surrounded by stunning countryside waiting to be explored.

Hello Autumn (Part 2) | Top Tips for Scotland’s most Vibrant Season

Ardenbeg Bunkhouse, Craggan Outdoors, Cairngorms National Park 

There is a huge amount of activities available all year round, and there are family discounts and mid-week breaks in the autumn and winter.

• Enjoy autumn mountain biking at Glenbeg, with views across to the Cairngorms and Cromdale Hills
• Craggan Fishery (sneak in before it closes in October) offers the most scenic setting in the Aviemore and Cairngorms area.
• Learn some Bear Grylls survival skills on the bushcraft sessions the centre runs.

Coll Bunkhouse, Isle of Coll, Hebrides

Experience Autumnal Scotland at its best with beautiful beaches, fantastic wildlife and unspoiled wilderness all on your doorstep.

• Awesome night sky on your doorstep, Coll is Scotland’s only island International Dark Sky Community. 
• Enjoy the white sands and temperate winter climate
• Tasty, hearty food served locally

Forest Way, North West Highlands 

This hostel is in the heart of Strathmore next to the River Broom and marvellous mountain scenery. There are lots of wonderful spots for enjoying the autumn colours.

• Brave the walk across the Corrieshalloch Gorge suspension bridge as the River Droma rushes through a mile-long box canyon below. 
• You’ll spot rare trees and shrubs on the Lael Forest walking trail 
• And if that’s not enough, there’s more Munros and Corbetts than you can shake a stick at!

Callander Hostel, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Autumn is glorious in The Trossachs. Set in one of Callander's oldest and most distinctive buildings, Callander Hostel is hostelling at its very best!

• The famous Loch Katrine and Sir Walter Scott Steamboat is not to be missed.  
• Enjoy a weekend of fun and music at the Callander Jazz and Blues Festival from Friday 4-6th October 
• Hostel Offers: November to Feb - sole occupancy of the hostel for £350 per night (excluding Christmas and New Year).  New Year for £500 per night (minimum of 2 nights stay). 

We ♡ winter hostelling...

Yes, Scotland in the summer is beautiful, you know that, we’re here to tell you all about Scotland’s winter wonderland.

Winter should be cold, and we mean the type of cold that makes your lungs double take, that makes the scenery about you glisten with frost, not a  mild, half-hearted chill that doesn’t require more than two layers.


1 Get cosy 
Why would you want to be anywhere else?  Nothing feels better than being outside on a frosty day and heading back to a cosy hostel for some hot soup and a game of cards.

2 Snow sports
You might even get a bit of snow on the hills in the distance which adds to the already spectacular views.  Or you can take to the hills on your skis, boards and sledges. Choose from Scotland’s five ski centres and enjoy excellent snow sports surrounded by Highland and Aberdeenshire scenery.

GLENSHEE | CAIRNGORM | GLENCOE | NEVIS RANGE | THE LECHT

3 Walking 
Then there’s walking in winter. From a scenic stroll in the rolling hills of the Borders, to the majestic heights of Glen Coe with its challenging mountaineering, there is something for everyone.

4 History
The castle and monuments are a bit quieter in the winter.  You can stroll the battlements and take yourself back in time without worrying about queues.

5 Food and Drink
We can’t forget the food and drink.  All that fresh air is going to make you hungry.  From mouth-watering steaks to fabulous seafood, you’ll get local produce that is hearty, tasty and delicious! And you can shop locally and get creative in your hostel kitchen.

6 Winter Fashion
Your North Face jacket needs a challenge. It’s fed up of keeping you warm at the bus stop, it wants adventure!

Galloway Activity
Centre

Winter Offers

Here are just a few of the winter offers at our hostels, see the hostel pages for more offers.

Corona Bunkhouse, Lochaber, only £24 per person per night in November, December and January.
A spectacular setting on the shores of Loch Linnhe near Glencoe and Fort William, the perfect base for exploring the Nevis Range, Mamores, Glen Coe and Ardnamurchan.

Galloway Activity Centre, Southern Scotland, has a cosy hostel and authentic Mongolian Yurts. Winter retreats in the Yurt include a cosy log fire and free use of the traditional wood fired hot tub. Bathe under the stars!

Ballater Hostel, Cairngorms National Park, enjoy the thrill of the outdoors, the beauty of nature, the serenity of being unplugged.

Ballater Hostel

Book online and receive up to 15% discount.

Ardenbeg Bunkhouse, Cairngorms National Park. They have long weekend offers, with the third night half price and great value off-peak midweek breaks.
It's just 15 minutes from Aviemore, and well situated for all that Britain’s largest national park has to offer.

Achaban House in Fionnphort, Mull. With no light pollution enjoy dark skies and identify the stars and constellations. And sunsets and sunrises are perfectly timed for breakfast and dinner.
20% discount for your winter visit to Mull and Iona when you stay 3 days or more.

Market Bay nr Achaban House, Mull