Braemar Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
An impressive former shooting lodge, Braemar Youth Hostel sits in extensive grounds in the heart of Cairngorms National Park and is a great base for exploring Royal Deeside with its many castles and distilleries, including Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s Scottish home.
Perfect for groups, families and individual travellers, the hostel boasts many traditional features and offers guests a wide range of room types, from comfortable private rooms to spacious shared accommodation. None of the rooms are en-suite but ample shower and washroom facilities are available.
Guests can opt for a continental breakfast served in the dining room or take advantage of the large, well-equipped self-catering kitchen. Other facilities include free WiFi, a bright, comfortable lounge with TV, a laundry and drying room, free onsite parking and secure bike storage. Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.
Sitting on the ‘Snow Road’, the hostel is the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts, within easy reach of the Cairngorms and the ski centres at Glenshee and the Lecht.
Dogs are welcome at Braemar, for a small fee, when guests book a private room. Please notify us in advance to check that a dog friendly room is available.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Hostellers LOVE...
- Great location with friendly staff
- Secure lockers
- Private rooms available
Braemar Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
February to September (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
Sunday to Thursday 08:00 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 21:00, Friday to saturday 08:00 - 10:00 and 17:00 -22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
10:00
Access Hours
Late arrival and access outside opening hours by pre-arrangement only
Amenities
Free Wifi
Private Rooms Available
Family Rooms Available
Suitable for Groups
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Self Catering Kitchen
Alcohol Licence
Lounge/TV Room
Laundry Room
Drying Room
Secure Lockers
Bike Store
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Shopping Nearby
Pet Dogs Welcome
Complimentary Tea and Coffee available in Self Catering Kitchen
Guest Reviews
30/03/19
Great traditional style hostel in wonderful location.John C
23/03/19
Really fantastic place to visit with our toddler, lots of space for him to explore and we felt really welcome. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful and we can't wait to come back.Christina
20/03/19
another enjoyable visitjohn
04/03/19
Very nice and affordable place to stay for the Braemar Mountain Festival. I have loved looking at red squirrels when I was having my breakfast!Elodiew92
03/03/19
As always, the staff set the tone. Your team are great.Maciej
02/03/19
The staff were excellent. They offered advice on activities when we asked and were happy to lend some oil to get our rather ancient mountain bike moving. The kitchen was spotless.Climbing*mum
02/03/19
Great, friendly welcome and overall experience. I'll be back.Sandy
27/02/19
First time time I had used SYHA/Hostelling Scotland for many years, and the first time I had visited Braemar YH since 1974. Overall a very good experience. Hostel hadn't changed much physically, but it was very clean, well maintained, with everything required for a comfortable overnight stay. Warden was friendly, efficient and helpful. Overall a very good experience - and I will be making more use of Hostelling Scotland in the future.George C
18/02/19
Visited this hostel with a group of 13 people and couldn't have asked for much more. Rooms, living spaces, dining area and the kitchen were all better than expected for the low price. Staff were very friendly and were happy to answer any questions and give guidence on local pubs, walks etc.Ed
07/02/19
Everything was fine. Warden went out of his way to help me plan my next few days in dubious weather conditions.Peter from CH
28/01/19
This is the second time we have used this hostel in 2 years. Booking service excellent. Arrival meet and greet excellent . Good service throughout. Great loaction too.Duddon and Furness MRT
23/01/19
Lovely hostel! Some rooms very cold, like the kitchen and lounge... But the lounge eventually warmed up.Manager on site was very helpful and easy going, so thank you! Would love to be back.kfm91
19/11/18
Ed made us very welcome. Everywhere was very clean and well organised. He also didn't mind being called in late in the evening and early in the morning because some of our party had locked themselves out of their room!DUHWS
18/10/18
Excellent stay again in this excellent hostel. Many thanks go to Jocelyn and Simon who look after the hostel. Excellent service.More than happy to use again.CheersAlex
18/10/18
Great traditional hostel in perfect location for walking and biking. Friendly helpful staff. Small but adequate kitchen. Local services within a short walk.John
23/09/18
Great couple of days very friendly hostelArthur
18/09/18
Great location with friendly helpful staffAndy chigwell school
17/09/18
The ratings say it all!. Great location, great hostel and staff who are very friendly and have excellent local knowledge of the local and surrounding areas. I would not think twice about recommending this great spot!! Will go back again..??Balkar Dhothar
16/09/18
Friendly staff and clean hostelGilly
10/09/18
This was my fourth visit to this hostel which is one of my favourites. This lovely hostel has a warm homely feeling and the wardens were again friendly and helpful.Bob Evans
22/07/18
Location is easy to find as you approach Braemar from Glenshee in the South. The location of the Hostel provides an excellent base for expiring Deeside, Glenshee and the hills around Glas Maol above the Cairnwell Pass.Stevie
17/07/18
A great base for hillwalking. There are usually a few walkers around to share tips, routes and advice. I always enjoy a stay hereCorran
16/07/18
I´m very happy about travelling throught Scotland with Hostelling Scotland.Blanca Rodriguez Garcia
11/06/18
Throughly enjoyable experienceian willoughby
05/06/18
Great location with access to many parts of the Grampian Mountains.Niall Adam
05/06/18
Been to long since I'd ventured to Braemar. Great setting with friendly staff.Antoni
30/05/18
Great hostel with a good welcome. Mountain bike hire works well in Braemar, they may even have electric bikes.Gromit
27/05/18
Excellent location for many types of activity; close to facilities and good transport linksJohn
11/05/18
Excellent hostel, great value for money, clean, welcoming, well located, good facilities. Great traditional building, nice to watch the red squirrels feeding in the garden from the kitchen table.Neil.
08/05/18
Friendly comfortable hostel in a brilliant locationHO
Perfect for groups, families and individual travellers, the hostel boasts many traditional features and offers guests a wide range of room types, from comfortable private rooms to spacious shared accommodation. None of the rooms are en-suite but ample shower and washroom facilities are available.
Guests can opt for a continental breakfast served in the dining room or take advantage of the large, well-equipped self-catering kitchen. Other facilities include free WiFi, a bright, comfortable lounge with TV, a laundry and drying room, free onsite parking and secure bike storage. Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.
Sitting on the ‘Snow Road’, the hostel is the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts, within easy reach of the Cairngorms and the ski centres at Glenshee and the Lecht.
Dogs are welcome at Braemar, for a small fee, when guests book a private room. Please notify us in advance to check that a dog friendly room is available.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Hostellers LOVE...
- Great location with friendly staff
- Secure lockers
- Private rooms available
Reasons to visit
The village sits on 'The Snow Road', a 90-mile journey which takes you from the picturesque market town of Blairgowrie to the traditional Highland town of Grantown-on-Spey. The route traverses the highest public road in Britain through some of the most impressive landscapes in the eastern Cairngorms, linking the communities of Braemar, Ballater and Tomintoul.
With no less than 24 Munros within easy reach it's no wonder the area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts. It's also a perfect base for winter sports, as Glenshee is just eight miles to the south and the Lecht is to the north.
This ancient village is also home to the world famous annual Braemar Gathering and Highland Games. Held on the first Saturday in September, the event is regularly attended by the Royal Family and features the best pipe bands, pipers, Highland dancers and athletes.
