6. Scotland
Former youth hostels of Great Britain
Contents
SYHA – SCOTLAND
Hostel name: Aberdeen
Grid reference: NJ922057
Nearest town: Aberdeen, Aberdeen
The SYHA Hostelling Scotland youth hostel, at 8 Queen's Road.
The building is a granite villa, dating from 1895, now Category C listed. Link
A large tree in front. Probably a sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), with a distinctive spiral of bark on the trunk.
The building is a granite villa, dating from 1895, now Category C listed. Link
A large tree in front. Probably a sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), with a distinctive spiral of bark on the trunk.
by Craig Wallace
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2021
Notes: 8 Queen's Road
Hostel name: Achininver or Acheninver
Grid reference: NC042056
Nearest town: Polglass, Highland
[image id=2144979 text={description}]
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: The SYHA called it Achininver but the place name on the map is Acheninver. Now an independent hostel.
Hostel name: Achtascailt
Grid reference: NH093878
Nearest town: Dundonnell, Highland
Achatascailt SYHA with the long shadows of evening
by Donald MacDonald
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Barns
Grid reference: NT216392
Nearest town: Peebles, Scottish Borders
Georgian Mansion by the River Tweed.
Built for James Burnett in the 1770's, along with a stone stable block which stands close to the old tower.
Built for James Burnett in the 1770's, along with a stone stable block which stands close to the old tower.
by Callum Black
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Blackness Castle
Grid reference: NT056801
Nearest town: Blackness, Falkirk
Between 27 March 1937 and 30 April 1947 the Scottish Youth Hostels Association operated a hostel on the upper floor of the guardroom block at historic Blackness Castle, on the Firth of Forth. The facility was temporarily lost at the beginning of the war, but was soon restored.
Please contact if you have any tales to tell of old hostels like this.
Please contact if you have any tales to tell of old hostels like this.
by John Martin
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1937 to 1947
Notes:
Hostel name: Broadmeadows
Grid reference: NT417303
Nearest town: Selkirk, Scottish Borders
Broadmeadows, opened in May 2nd 1931, was Scotland’s first youth hostel. It was originally a row of four cottages and was converted into a hostel by the late William Stewart Morton. It stands in a secluded woodland setting and has a bed capacity of 20.
by Walter Baxter
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1931 to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Cannich
Grid reference: NH338314
Nearest town: Cannich, Highland
Cyclists about to depart from the youth hostel.
by Richard Sutcliffe
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Carbisdale Castle
Grid reference: NH574954
Nearest town: Culrain, Highland
Built by the Countess of Sutherland between 1906 and 1917. It has been a Youth Hostel since 1945.
by Dr E H Mackay
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1945 to 2011
Notes:
Hostel name: Coldingham
Grid reference: NT916663
Nearest town: Coldingham, Scottish Borders
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Corrour
Grid reference: NN356664
Nearest town: Fort William, Highland
The SYHA have given up on Corrour - note the lack of their sign under the cornice compared to pictures taken in 2011. The new team open up on 1st August.
by Karl and Ali
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2012
Notes: Now an independent hostel
Hostel name: Craig
Grid reference: NG774638
Nearest town: Lower Diabaig, Highland
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: Now an independent hostel
Hostel name: Dumfries House
Grid reference: NS539205
Nearest town: Auchinleck, East Ayrshire
Designed by John Adam in the 1760s and extended in the 19thC. Later it was used as a youth hostel until the 1960s. It has now been restored and will be used as a home for the Prince's Drawing School and the Glasgow School of Art for studios, gallery space and classrooms for courses related to the arts.
by M J Richardson
Shared Description
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: still extant
Hostel name: Edinburgh Bruntsfield
Grid reference: NT249721
Nearest town: Edinburgh, Edinburgh
NO IMAGE YET
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2006
Notes: 7-8 Bruntsfield Crescent
Hostel name: Edinburgh Eglinton
Grid reference: NT238735
Nearest town: Edinburgh, Edinburgh
NO IMAGE YET
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2006
Notes: Eglinton Crescent - still extant
Hostel name: Falkland
Grid reference: NO253072
Nearest town: Falkland, Fife
The road to the public car park leaves Back Wynd. This road also provides vehicular access to the public library, the community hall and the recycling facilities. The white building was previously a Scottish Youth Hostels Association hostel then a privately-run hostel and is now a children's nursery.
See Falkland article Link
See Falkland article Link
by Bill Kasman
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Hostel name: Ferniehirst Castle
Grid reference: NT652179
Nearest town: Jedburgh, Scottish Borders
At the time this photograph was taken the castle was being run by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association; staying there was a memorable experience! For an outline of its history see NT6517 : Ferniehirst Castle.
by Nigel Brown
Ferniehirst Castle, dating from the late 15th century, stands above the east bank of the Jed Water and is the seat of the Lothian branch of the Kerr family. The castle was attacked by English armies in the 16th century and in 1593 it was almost completely destroyed by James VI to punish Sir Thomas Kerr for his loyalty to Mary Queen of Scots. The castle was rebuilt in 1598 and occupied for 200 years until it fell into disrepair. Restoration work took place in the 19th century and the Youth Hostel Association leased the castle between 1933 and 1984, apart from the war years when troops were billeted here. A major restoration project was carried out between 1984 and 1987 by the 12th Lord Lothian, and the castle is open to the public throughout July, except Mondays. The gable wall on the left is the only surviving remains of a coach house and stables. (Source: Ferniehirst Castle information leaflet and booklet).
by Walter Baxter
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1933 to 1984
Notes: Castle now open as a tourist attraction
Hostel name: Fintry
Grid reference: NS621861
Nearest town: Fintry, Stirling
This was one of Scotland's earliest hostels, opening in 1935. This was popular with weekenders from Glasgow. The hostel closed in 1981, being by then structurally unsound and was demolished. (Details from John Martin)
Scanned from an unbranded rather grainy colour negative, circa mid 1970s. August.
Scanned from an unbranded rather grainy colour negative, circa mid 1970s. August.
by Roger Kidd
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1935 to 1981
Notes: now demolished
Hostel name: Garramor
Grid reference: NM666914
Nearest town: Morar, Highland
As well as everything mentioned in NM6691 : View of Garramore House from the entrance drive, Morar, this was a great youth hostel in the 1980s
by Elliott Simpson
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 1995
Notes:
Hostel name: Garth
Grid reference: NN757476
Nearest town: Fortingall, Perth and Kinross
Garth House east of Fortingall, Scottish Baronial style, when a Youth Hostel in 1970.
Link
Link
by Catherine Smith
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Gearrannan
Grid reference: NB192442
Nearest town: Isle of Harris, Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Gatliffe Trust hostel in the blackhouse village at Gearrannan. Refurbished buildings now have chimneys and windows.
Link
Link
by Colin Smith
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: Run by the Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust (SYHA affiliated) until its lease expired and is now a totally independent hostel. 1991 to 2011 are the dates the hostel was run by the Gatliff Trust. The Trust used the anglicized name Garenin.
Hostel name: Glasgow (Woodlands Terrace)
Grid reference: NS575662
Nearest town: Glasgow, Glasgow
The Youth Hostel was here in 1988, but it moved to Park Terrace: NS5766 : Glasgow Youth Hostel.
by Mark Anderson
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1948 to 1992
Notes: Replaced by hostel nearby on Park Terrace
Hostel name: Glen Doll
Grid reference: NO278763
Nearest town: Acharn, Angus
The former SYHA hostel in Glen Doll, now a private residence; it's not visible in this photo, but there is scaffolding erected against the left (west) end of the building, and clearly some work is underway.
by Richard Law
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Glendevon
Grid reference: NN989046
Nearest town: Glendevon, Perth and Kinross
A simple and friendly hostel which looks as if it was purpose-built in the early days of the SYHA, around the 1930s. (This is an unconfirmed guess.)
by David Gruar
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1951 to 2007
Notes: still extant
Hostel name: High Glencoy
Grid reference: NS001353
Nearest town: Brodick, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire
Looking towards the houses of High Glencloy. At the time this picture was taken, the nearest house was a hostel run by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association.
by Nigel Brown
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Inverbeg
Grid reference: NS344 979
Nearest town: Inverbeg, Argyll and Bute
From my research, I believe that this building is no longer there.
by Colin Park
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1931 to 1993
Notes:
Hostel name: Inverey
Grid reference: NO078895
Nearest town: Inverey, Aberdeenshire
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2008
Notes:
Hostel name: Inverness
Grid reference: NH667448
Nearest town: Inverness, Highland
Distinguished building on corner of Old Edinburgh Road and Culduthel Road, was in early 80s a youth hostel. Views from here overlooking the river are fantastic.
by Michael Westley
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1945 to 1998
Notes: Viewhill House, now derelict, fire damaged
Hostel name: John O'Groats
Grid reference: ND348721
Nearest town: Canisbay, Highland
This was the John o' Groats youth hostel, I had hoped to stay here.
by Richard Webb
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: now a private house
Hostel name: Kendoon
Grid reference: NX615883
Nearest town: Glenhoul, Dumfries & Galloway
A "one-star" hostel, one of a vanishing breed. There is an inexorable trend to close down small simple hostels of this type and open new "City" hostels with wall-to-wall carpeting, ensuites and internet access for so-called "backpackers". Furthermore such country hostels as this are only open nowadays for a limited period each summer. Imagine the chagrin of a walker or cyclist arriving here unbooked to read the notice on the door telling him that the nearest hostel which is open all year is in Glasgow!
by Oliver Dixon
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Killin
Grid reference: NN570339
Nearest town: Killin, Stirling
Killin Youth Hostel was opened in a former doctor's house, Tighndhuin, in 1942, and ran without disruption until early in 2008, amassing some 320,000 overnight stays.
Tighndhuin was demolished earlier in 2011 in favour of a development of 14 new homes on the site.
Tighndhuin was demolished earlier in 2011 in favour of a development of 14 new homes on the site.
by John Martin
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1942 to 2008
Notes: now demolished
Hostel name: Kingussie
Grid reference: NH758008
Nearest town: Kingussie, Highland
This building, originally built in 1870, operated as a youth hostel between 1943 and 1995 but, in common with many other SYHA hostels, eventually succumbed to economic reality as the demand for traditional basic accommodation for young people declined. It is now an upmarket restaurant and guest house.
by Stephen McKay
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1943 to 1995
Notes:
Hostel name: Kinloch Castle
Grid reference: NM402996
Nearest town: Kinloch, Isle of Rum, Highland
The hostel section.
by Ashley Dace
Shared Description
Open as a hostel (Scottish National Heritage – but advertised through SYHA) from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Kyleakin
Grid reference: NG752263
Nearest town: Kyleakin, Highland
The hostel closed in 2007. Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association have expressed an interesr in purchasing it, much to the annoyance of the local community, who feel that it could be put to better use as far as tourism is concerned. Kyleakin is fast becoming a backwater as tourists appear to be bypassing it.
by Dave Fergusson
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2007
Notes:
Hostel name: Loch Ard
Grid reference: NN466023
Nearest town: Kinlochard, Stirling
Loch Ard House was the SYHA youth hostel from 1949 until 1995.
by Richard Sutcliffe
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1949 to 1995
Notes:
Hostel name: Loch Lochy
Grid reference: NN293971
Nearest town: Laggan, Highland
Seen from the forest, across wet farmland. This former SYHA Youth Hostel is now under independent ownership and has been renamed the 'Great Glen Hostel'. It is open all year.
Link
Link
by Richard Webb
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Loch Lomond
Grid reference: NS368834
Nearest town: Arden, Argyll and Bute
Loch Lomond Youth Hostel is an impressive country house set in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, with views of Loch Lomond. The house retains many original features including a sweeping staircase with vast stained glass windows and Ballroom.
by George Rankin
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Melrose
Grid reference: NT54939
Nearest town: Melrose, Scottish Borders
The hostel in Melrose, Roxburghshire, is situated in a magnificent Georgian mansion house.
by James Denham
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Minnigaff (Newton Stewart)
Grid reference: NX411662
Nearest town: Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway
Formerly known as Minnigaff Youth Hostel. Category C-listed former school, built c1900.
by Leslie Barrie
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2015
Notes:
Hostel name: Raasay
Grid reference: NG553378
Nearest town: Raasay, Highland
Located a couple of kilometres north of Inverarish, the hostel is only open for a few months of the year, normally from mid-May to the beginning of September.
NG5537 : Raasay Youth Hostel - detail, Creachan Cottage, Raasay.
NG5537 : Raasay Youth Hostel - detail, Creachan Cottage, Raasay.
by P L Chadwick
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2013
Notes: Alan Evans Memorial Hostel, Creachan Cottage
Hostel name: Stranvar House
Grid reference: NN528202
Nearest town: Balquhidder, Stirling
The imposing Stronvar House, in Scottish Baronial style, still looks in good order from a distance. The golden-coloured weather vane is original, dating from 1850. It was refurbished, re-gilded and then re-erected on 21st September 2001 by G D Armitage (Clocks and Bells) Ltd of Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire. They are the recognised experts in this work and also re-gilded the spike on the other tower.
The vane is the same pattern as on all other David Bryce (the Architect) designed houses. [Many thanks to Colin Gompertz, "The Laird"].
The house is still occupied by 'the Laird'. It was a Scottish Youth Hostels Association property between 1954 and 1973-1974. [Thanks - John Martin].
See Link
The vane is the same pattern as on all other David Bryce (the Architect) designed houses. [Many thanks to Colin Gompertz, "The Laird"].
The house is still occupied by 'the Laird'. It was a Scottish Youth Hostels Association property between 1954 and 1973-1974. [Thanks - John Martin].
See Link
by Colin Smith
Open as a SYHA hostel from 1954 to 1974
Notes:
Hostel name: Strathpeffer
Grid reference: NH478574
Nearest town: Strathpeffer, Highland
This ceased to be a Youth Hostel in 2002.
by Richard Sutcliffe
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to 2002
Notes: Elsick House, now private housing
Hostel name: Stromness
Grid reference: HY252087
Nearest town: Stromness, Orkney
NO IMAGE YET
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: Drill Hall, Hellihole Road
Hostel name: The Snoot
Grid reference: NT422135
Nearest town: Hawick, Scottish Borders
Former SYHA youth hostel occupying an old church. Now presumably a private dwelling.
by Oliver Dixon
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Uig
Grid reference: NG396629
Nearest town: Uig, Highland
This 62 bed hostel used to be Uig Hospital.
by Dave Fergusson
Open as a SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes:
Hostel name: Wanlockhead
Grid reference: NS875130
Nearest town: Wanlockhead, Dumfries & Galloway
NO IMAGE YET
Open as a /SYHA hostel from ? to ?
Notes: Still extant as "Lotus Lodge"
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Images used on this page, © Copyright Richard Sutcliffe, Colin Smith, Elliott Simpson, Richard Webb, Nigel Brown, Oliver Dixon, Dave Fergusson, John Martin, Walter Baxter, George Rankin, James Denham, David Gruar, Ashley Dace, Stephen McKay, Leslie Barrie, Michael Westley, Stanley Howe, Colin Park, Craig Wallace, Richard Law, Mark Anderson, Donald MacDonald, Catherine Smith, Roger Kidd, Bill Kasman, M J Richardson, John Ferguson, Karl and Ali, Dr E H Mackay, Stuart Logan, Callum Black and P L Chadwick;
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