Achmelvich Beach
About About this youth hostel ....
Sitting on the NC500, beside a beautiful, sheltered white sandy beach, this small and friendly hostel provides a relaxing base to explore miles of unspoilt coastline, secluded beaches and abundant wildlife.
The hostel offers three comfortable private rooms and spacious shared dorm accommodation with private lockers. Other facilities include: a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, cosy lounge/dining area with wood burning stove, laundry and a small shop in reception selling basic provisions, soft drinks and snacks. There is no WiFi because of the hostel’s remote location.
Achmelvich Beach is a dog-friendly hostel. If you would like to book yourself and your dog into the hostel, please phone the hostel direct on +44 (0) 1571 844 480 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ and 'Heat it and eat it' evening meals available (please remember to pre-book your breakfast).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Due to planned upgrades to the beach carpark, there will be restricted parking throughout the 2024 season. Landowners surrounding the hostel are making arrangements for limited parking on the land surrounding their crofts. A daily fee of £5 is likely to apply and will be payable in cash, directly to the owner. Unfortunately this will not be available to pre-book and will be managed on a first come basis.
Why stay?
- Award Winning Youth Hostel
- Unique, unspoilt location on the NC500
- Only 300m from one of the UK’s best beaches
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Great for families and dog friendly
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April to September (RentaHostel available)
Reception Hours
08:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00
Check in
17:00-22:00
Check out
08:00-10:00
Access Hours
Late check in available on request and by prior arrangement. The youth hostel is closed between 10:00 and 17:00.
Amenities
Laundry Room
Shopping Nearby
Private Rooms
Suitable for Groups
Family Rooms
Bike Store
Lounge/TV Room
Catering
Towel Hire
Secure Lockers
Pet Dogs Welcome
Guest Reviews
17/07/2024
Beds very comfy, shower was great. Breakfast spot on.Guest Review
17/07/2024
A very nice and cosy hostel at an incredible location. Would highly recommend it to anyone trying to find some peace and quiet and just enjoy the magnificent surrounding nature.Nikola
15/07/2024
Quite simply impeccable in every respect. The kitchen was especially well equipped and very clearly labelled. The rooms & shower/WC facilities were spotless and welcoming. An example of a hostel run to a very high standard by a very pleasant & professional warden (ditto Durness).Pablo
06/07/2024
It was an amazing stay! We were there during a very, very rainy period, and it was a challenge to keep our clothes and items dry. The fire certainly helped! The staff members were absolutely brilliant, extremely clean facilities and highly friendly service. Thanks so much for an amazing stay.L Ralph
29/06/2024
The real deal in hosteling, stunning location, accommodation and staff.Bill
21/06/2024
Easy to meet fellow guests. Good range of local maps. Fantastic bird feeder funded by Stuart attracts numerous birds especially the beautiful goldfinch. Fish and chip shop down the road. Staff fantastic. Good location for North West hillwalking.Gordon Bissett
21/06/2024
UnbeatableGuest Review
17/06/2024
Climbed Suilven while on this trip. Excellent place to stay. Will definitely use the hostel again.Janis Tait
09/06/2024
Really enjoyable couple of days staying in this comfortable hostel, with friendly staff.Alison G
08/06/2024
A stunning place, we feit very welcom and and facilities we needed. Thanks to SteveYvonne Landesbergen
04/06/2024
Stewie and Aga were a treat as always. Such a lovely little hostel. Cant beat the sunsets!hairyhaggis
02/06/2024
A wonderful location with a very special beach.RichTea
07/05/2024
Wonderful stay yet again in a beautiful spot within easy access of beach and mountains. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable making the stay even more special.Arlene
04/05/2024
Stewart and Aga were very helpful.Guest Review
30/04/2024
This was an ideal stopover for the North Coast 500. We enjoyed seeing lots of wildlife during our stay, and had a refreshing sea dip.Rachel Lee
27/04/2024
Really enjoyed this hostel, especially after a local gent offered the use of his drive waty for parking our bikes. Stew the warden was very helpful and encouraged me to acquire a book for my library in return for a small donation. As he said, books are for reading!Glen
10/04/2024
I couldn't have asked for a better youth hostel experience! Aga and Stuart made me feel welcome and were so friendly and helpful. The 8 bed dorm was great, the walls and curtain separating each bunk make such a difference and make the room feel nice and cosy. The kitchen has everything you need and the sitting area with the fire was fab, I really enjoyed reading my book here at the end of a long day! The location is absolutely stunning, 5 mins from the beach!K.M.
02/04/2024
Great location for a hostel, the beach was the most amazing beach I've visited! Staff were friendly and helpful and it was lovely to sit by the fire after a long day!Rosie
01/04/2024
Such a great little treasure. Having everything we needed in an amazing location. We have stayed in many hostels over the year, but the first time here and we were impressed that in spite of it's compact size it had everything we needed and more.Ceri
26/09/2023
Great wee hostel at a stunning location.Guest Review
25/09/2023
Perfect location, super friendly and helpful staff. Great common area, inside and out.Guest Review
24/09/2023
Great spot to be based for a few days. Sally was super lovely and helpful with hillwalking recommendationsSophie
22/09/2023
A brilliant hostel in a gorgeous location. Sally gets a special mention for making the experience so memorable, with a hearty fire and good conversation. She made it very welcoming. I like the room divides/curtains and this is a good idea for privacy.Guest Review
21/09/2023
Great location, cosy hostel and great friendly staff, what more could you ask forCliche Guevara
18/09/2023
Thank you for a lovely stay, Sally was extremely helpful and knowledgeable of the area.Dan
18/09/2023
This location is amazing. Staff were all so nice. Every guest I met was lovely. Really enjoyed my night here. Wish I had stayed longer.Victoria
17/09/2023
We stayed at Achmelvich for three nights and had one if our most enjoyable hosteling experience ever. We met both the wardens, Sally and Ben, you just couldn't fault them as people. They were warm, friendly and just such nice people. The atmosphere at the host was just fun with great people to share with. Thank you both for a lovely stay.Guest Review
16/09/2023
I had a wonderful stay at Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel. I wasn't sure what to expect but everything was first class. Ben was wonderfully welcoming and gave me all of the information I needed and a tour of the hostel. Everything was spotlessly clean. The bathroom was spacious and the shower was great. I made my own evening meal and there was plenty of equipment in the kitchen. The location is beautiful and I very much enjoyed my walk along the beach and headland.Claire Patterson
15/09/2023
Friendly hostel, good facilities, comfy. Wonderful beach nearbyChris
15/09/2023
An excellent place to stay nice and clean with very friendly staffPaul
Reasons to visit
Located on the famous NC500 and just 300 metres from a legendary white sandy beach, Achmelvich Beach is the perfect starting point for stunning coastal and hill walks. The crystal clear waters also make it a great base for sea kayaking and snorkelling.
The Drumbeg Loop is a real driver's road, with spectacular drive with views. Single track with tight turns and blind bends it boasts some of the most beautiful, dramatic views you will ever see. A must-do and definitely one for the bucket list!
One of the more unusual local attractions is the 'Hermit's Castle'. This children's sized "castle" is hidden away over the headland from Achmelvich Bay, a 10-15 minute walk from Achmelvich Beach. The castle was built in the 1950s and, despite appearances, it's only just big enough to stand inside it. An unusual building in a very wild location.
There are a number of great local restaurants within easy reach including the world famous Lochinver Larder. The Caberfeidh Gastro Pub serves up amazing seafood dishes in an informal pub setting. From ludicrously good langoustines to enormous beer-battered cod goujons and grilled goat's cheese with red onion marmalade - ignore the rustic feel of the interior and enjoy local Scottish seafood at its best!
For wildlife enthusiasts, whale and dolphin watching boat trips leave from Lochinver.
With spectacular scenery, fine local produce and unforgettable sunsets, Achmelvich Beach is a truly memorable stay.
Discover the best things to do on a WoofHostelling beach holiday in Achmelvich