Braemar Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
We welcome the recent announcement by the Scottish Government on the gradual and responsible easing of restrictions from 19 July. Unfortunately due to continued requirement for social distancing, we are unable to open our self-catering kitchens at this time. We hope to provide a date for the opening of these facilities following the next Scottish Government update. The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests, employees and the communities in which we operate remains our main priority at this time. For more information on what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ's section of this website.
As you’ll appreciate, advice on Covid-19 is constantly changing and we would ask all our guests to continue to refer to Scottish Government guidelines and Transport Scotland advice on travel and social distancing when making their booking.
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 (please remember to pre-book) 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.
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 £5 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
For information on hostel accessibility please click here
Why stay?
- Great location with friendly staff
- Secure lockers
- Private rooms available
Braemar Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
February to October (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
Sunday to Thursday 08:00-10:00 & 17:00-21:00, Friday and Saturday 08:00-10:00 & 17:00-22:00
Check in
17:00 - 21:00
Check out
08.00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Late arrival and access outside opening hours by pre-arrangement only
Amenities
Pet Dogs Welcome
Free Wifi
Private Rooms
Family Rooms
Suitable for Groups
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Alcohol Licence
Lounge/TV Room
Laundry Room
Drying Room
Secure Lockers
Bike Store
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Shopping Nearby
Free Tea and Coffee in Guest Kitchen
Guest Reviews
13/03/20
Brilliant location. Great friendly staff. Loaned us a second hand map for day's walking. Warm, cosy, friendly and civilised.Catherine
09/03/20
Brilliant location and hostel. Ian couldn't have been any more friendly and helpful. Thank you.Marchmont gang
07/03/20
Been a while since i visited a hostel ,couldn't have had a more fun experience great layout and super friendly people .dibs
03/03/20
Everything you'd want from a hostel, and a bargain.Andrew
02/03/20
Fabulous stay. Perfectly located for the southern cairngorms. Knowledgable staff on surrounding hikes and conditions.Flo
29/02/20
Another enjoyable visit thanks again to the friendly and helpful staffJohn
26/02/20
An absolute gem of a place. Simple but more than adequate with a dry room, toasty lounge and fully equipped kitchen. Located in one of the most beautiful valleys in the world :0)Lublu
24/02/20
Great stay at the hostel. Its location is prime for access to the Eastern Cairngorms. The team there were welcoming, warm and on top of ensuring the hostel was running well the whole time we were there. We stayed in one of the family rooms and it was perfect for what we were after. Go again at the drop of a hat.Ed Richardson
23/10/19
Hostel was quiet at end of season, but made for an excellent and comfortable stay. It was my first time of taking a dog to a hostel and it worked really well - the manager could not have been more helpful! Drying room and kitchen facilities were first rate. Thanks for a lovely stay.Dave Cummins
20/10/19
Had an excellent stay. Was very impressed with overall cleanliness throughout the hostel. Staff were very helpful and friendly. A perfect base for exploring the local hills. Will definitely visit again in the future.AdBenbow
17/10/19
We really enjoyed our stay at Braemar. It was a cosy place with a nice atmosphere and bedrooms are ok. Really nice service and facilities. We really recommend this place. Plus, we had a struggle with the reservation and the communication with the «Hostelling Scotland » team couldn't be better. Huge thanks, kind regards.Eliott, Gaëlle and Julien
15/10/19
Excellent hostel in a fantastic location. Great friendly helpful staffAl
14/10/19
Braemar Hostel is a fine cosy place with a cracking drying room.John Rosie
23/09/19
Fantastic stay in a beautiful setting- en suite red squirrels, a stone's throw from friendly pubs and glorious walks and a well equipped kitchen and drying room. Staff are friendly and full of practical tips to help you get the best from your stay.Shona Morton
22/09/19
A great place to stay in an amazing location. Friendly staff who create that welcoming and community atmosphere you'd expect in a hostel. All the facilities you'd expect and great place to relax after a day, walking, cycling and enjoying all the area has to offer. A short walk into the village to the pub and restaurant.Met some great people here, who will now be tango dancing round Scotland!Jonathan
17/09/19
An amazing hostel where like minded folk meet, over and over again. Edward is the most friendly of hostel staff, always chatty, helpful and welcoming. Great facilities with the best drying room ever. Thank you very much.Annie
14/09/19
Visiting from the US I had little local insight. The location of the hostel was nothing short of amazing. The drive over Glenshee was exhilarating and the natural beauty of the region was stunning. The hostel was clean and inviting. Ed and Ian were brilliant hosts and their local knowledge a real advantage. Sincere thanks for obliterating all expectations.Geoff Walton
12/09/19
Very comfortable stay at Braemar. Due to a nightmare on the hills myself & a friend didn't arrive until nearly midnight. After sending Ed a text, he arrived within 5 minutes to get us sorted out & couldn't have been more helpful. Wouldn't hesitate to book again - 5 starsMark D
11/09/19
Fantastic! Ed and Ian were friendly, helpful and made my stay truly wonderful.They manage the hostel in a very efficient way, making everything run smooth.I especially appreciated the way they arranged things, so that people could stay during the day on a bad weather day.Tonn
02/09/19
Excellent stay, couldn't fault it. Great hostel, comfortable beds, good facilities. Staff were excellent and very friendly and fresh croissants for breakfast were lovely!Ross
27/08/19
I always enjoy staying at Braemar - helpful staff, lovely building and good facilities. Great location (car park can be a little small but we parked elsewhere on the grounds). I particularly love it when one of the red squirrels is out :)Corran
20/08/19
We felt very comfortable at Braemar Youth Hostel. Well kept and clean house and friendly staff. It has a nice atmosphere and the facilities are very good.Susanne
19/08/19
Nice old building with lots of character. Manager is a good communicator and very helpful. Excellent kitchen facilities. Bikeshed could do with upgrading as its certainly showing its age.Doug
19/08/19
The wardens, Ian and Edward, at the Braemar youth hostel were most gracious and welcoming. They maintain the building beautifully, and with obvious loving care. The rooms are comfortable and sparkling clean. Staying there was a pleasure. The wardens also are knowledgeable about the village and surrounds, and so were very helpful to this countryside explorer.Marcy
14/08/19
Very helpful and pleasant staff. Positive experience, I would definitely stay here again.Yed
12/08/19
A brilliant hostel in a great location. Very friendly & helpful staff.Paul from Glasgow.
01/08/19
I had a great stay. Area spectacular. Staff are friendly and obliging. Great value for money. I will definitely go back to Braemar hostel.Cee
31/07/19
I had booked the wrong night so having it sorted at check in was great. Good experience and will be staying again some time.David M
31/07/19
The setting was brilliant all the wild life around the hostel. the drying room excellent when you have been Munroing and need to get things dry. Staff were very good ,would definitely come back againTim and John
31/07/19
Stayed in a twin room at Braemar Youth Hotel while on a mini tour of Scotland with a friend from Mexico. Made to feel very welcome when we arrived, clean room with towels in a fantastic location. Breaksfast incredibly good value for money. An excellent stay.Mike Wilson
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.
