Braemar
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. Sitting on the ‘Snow Road’, the hostel is the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts and is within easy reach of the Cairngorms and the ski centres at Glenshee and the Lecht.
The hostel boasts many traditional features and offers guests a range of comfortable private rooms and shared dorm accommodation. None of the rooms are en-suite but ample shower and washroom facilities are available. Other facilities include free WiFi, a bright comfortable lounge, a drying room, laundry free onsite parking and secure bike storage with the facility to charge e-bikes.
Braemar 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) 1339 741 659 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ available (please remember to pre-book).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Great location
- Friendly staff with expert local knowledge
- Local shops and restaurants within walking distance
- Licensed, serving local beers and wine
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Braemar Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
Season: Open all year
Reception Hours
Reception Hours: Sunday to Thursday 07:00-10:00 & 17:00-21:30, Friday and Saturday 07:00-10:00 & 17:00-22:00
Check in
Check in: 17:00 - 21:30
Check out
Check out: 08.00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Access hours: Late arrival and access outside opening hours by pre-arrangement only
Amenities
Bike Store
Free Wifi
Free Parking (limited on-site) p
Drying Room
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Alcohol Licence
Laundry Room
Guest Kitchen
Pet Dogs Welcome
Private Rooms
Suitable for Groups
Shopping Nearby
Towel Hire
Family Rooms
Lounge Area
Guest Reviews
03/10/2024
We had a lovely overnight stay - it's great to be back after the refurbishment! The lounge has had a lovely transformation and all the painting makes it feel fresher. Thank you for our stay!Guest Review
01/10/2024
Beautiful Hostel in beautiful surroundings. I really enjoyed my stay.Jenna
28/09/2024
Very clean and tidy, and nice lounge area to sit in!aaronj
24/09/2024
Fantastic hostel, offers everything you need and very helpful and friendly staff. Would definitely stay again / recommend to others.Rona
22/09/2024
What a great stay - exceeded expectations.Laura
20/09/2024
We had a great stay at Braemer Youth hostel! The staff is super friendly and very helpful. The hostel is located in a peaceful little forest, it is beautifully furnished and the beds are very comfortable.Katharina Reiner
19/09/2024
Friendly hostel in a great location. Short walk to the centre of Braemar with adequate shops and places to eat/drink in the evening. The hostel lounge is particularly cozy and relaxing, having plenty of comfortable seating, even when it's busy.Julian
17/09/2024
Loved this hostel and its setting in amongst the trees. Kitchen was first class, bedrooms clean and comfortable and a cosy lounge area to relax in with games etc.Staff were wonderful and very welcoming. Wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.Emma
14/09/2024
Great hostel, kitchen, wee breakfast and lounge made our stay even better than expected.Guest Review
12/09/2024
Excellent hostel and friendly, efficient staffAlan Franck
10/09/2024
Very happy at Braemar youth hostelDS
10/09/2024
Warm and welcoming hostel with period features, excellent location on the edge of Braemar. Woodland location with woodland walks squirrel and bird viewing station. Fantastic base to explore the area.Yvonne
08/09/2024
The new kitchen was spotless and had everything any traveller could wish for.We had a great stay and would like to come back soon.
05/09/2024
Good hostel, friendly staff, well run..
04/09/2024
Excellent stay. We would have no hesitation in returning.Gillian Cummins
04/09/2024
Loved the new theme and fresh look following the refurbishment. Very comfortable beds and well equipped kitchen.Guest Review
03/09/2024
Great base for outdoor activities. And great value for money.Guest Review
02/09/2024
The Braemer Youth Hostel is great! Especially, the kitchen is well equipped and the location is awesome.Nicojo
01/09/2024
We had a very nive stay. The hostel location is great and the house is beautiful and cleanAntoine
01/09/2024
Only a 1 night stop, but great hostel facility, easy to find, short walk to Braemar and so much to do in the area. A very comfortable experience, soon to be repeated. And great value.Pawira
31/08/2024
Fantastic experience - excellent atmosphere and camaraderie at the youth hostel.Anna
30/08/2024
Enjoyable.MO
29/08/2024
We enjoyed the hostel and the area, had a wonderful time and we will certainly return here and we recommend Braemar Hostel to any hiking lover!Sonia and friends
28/08/2024
Lovely, very well-equipped and comfortable place to stay right in Braemar and close to stunning walksJules
23/08/2024
We had a lovely night at Braemar youth hostel. Really convenient for the cairngorms (or main reason for staying there). Fabulous warden. Friendly (helpful) guests and a super room for us and our dog. Couldn't ask for more.Anne
21/08/2024
Great facilities and just amazing staff. Well done Hostelling Scotland. One of the best hostels I've stayed in.Guest Review
19/08/2024
Excellent, spotlessly clean hostel. Helpful manager. Very comfy beds. Good location.Meg.
18/08/2024
Friendly and helpful reception staff. All facilities to a high standard.Very good value overnight stayBalfour
18/08/2024
We stayed here one night while on a bikepacking trip. Our private room was very comfortable and there are a handleful of nice little pubs and restaurants to choose from within easy walking distance.George M.
18/08/2024
Warm friendly welcome in a picturesque setting. Well maintained and clean with ample facilities.Guest Review
Reasons to visit
Surrounded by the Grampian Mountains, Braemar is the ideal base for exploring Royal Deeside and the mighty Cairngorms. Balmoral Castle, the Queen's Scottish home, is nearby (open between April-July) and there are a host of distilleries for whisky enthusiasts to explore.
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.