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.
Why stay?
- 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
20/06/19
Very helpful staff, happy for us to drop off our bags at the hostel in the morning before checking in that evening, so we could explore Braemar unencumbered during the day, not having a car. Also let us leave some stuff to pick up later next day so we could go hillwalking very early!Mary W
18/06/19
Lovely Hostel in the heart of the eastern Cairngorms. Love it.Antoni Anderson
18/06/19
Cheap and cheerful. Staff were lovely and the place was spotless. The kitchen is huge and very well appointed. Quiet and peaceful after 9pm which was super. Sitting by the window at breakfast I saw a grouse foraging for food, some rabbits frolicking on the lawn, and a couple of red squirrels scampering through the trees.Niemand
14/06/19
Very comfortable with good cooking and washing facilities. Chatty fellow hostellers. Reassuring wardens.Miriam
13/06/19
Excellent wildlife location especially Red squirrels.Ken & Christine
12/06/19
A very warm welcome, we were able to access the room at 12.30 and left for us. The hotel is very well located and allows for beautiful hikes. We enshrined the visit of small animals (rabbit, squirrels). The kitchen is very large and everything is available to travelers. The places are clean. Thank you for this night and for your kindness.Ludivine&Elisa(20 years old, French travelers)
10/06/19
Pleasant, friendly, warm, and accommodating.Dave H
09/06/19
Person in charge could not be more hospitable, helpful and welcomingNo
07/06/19
Braemar is one of my favourites - a lovely old house with great facilities set in gorgeous woodland. I love seeing the red squirrels in the trees just outside!Corran
04/06/19
Wonderful location generally, and the hostel srrounded by trees and wildlife. A short walk from a lovely and intersting village.Annie from Tasmania
28/05/19
Very friendly, helpful and hardworking wardens. A great location. Parking might be a problem if hostel busy.Ian B
23/05/19
I was originally booked for just one night as part of my TGO 2019 crossing. I was injured, so I extended the trip, twice, because Ian and Ed are just amazing. Ian spotted my bad limp, and rearranged some stuff to get me on a lower floor. They couldn't have looked after me better. Thanks guys.Carol B
19/05/19
Aucun problème accueil et service à l écossaise écoute gentillesse et service parfaitRéal FERREC
18/05/19
This was the perfect place to stay for any of the activities in and around Braemar. Nestled in the woodland, you can watch the birds and red squirrels from the windows. Absolutely beautiful location and very cozy and homey on the inside. Guests and staff alike were very friendly. I definitely recommend!Vivian D.
18/05/19
We had a four night stay in the hostel and everything was perfect , easy check-in and staff were excellent , kitchen facilities was great and atmosphere was chilled, I would recommend and stay here againJohnty
16/05/19
Overall everything you need for self catering style accommodation at a budget price.Six stars to the gentleman on duty at reception (I should have asked his name), who was so friendly, helpful and always on hand to assist. You sometimes come across individuals who just naturally and instinctively want to strive to produce the best service they can for their clients. He was indeed such a person.Douglas McLeod
08/05/19
The hostel warden was exceptional. Balmoral Castle was a bonus. Great atmosphereTerry
07/05/19
I was joining a friend for his last Corbett in the area so the location was ideal. A warm welcome from the warden on arrival. The hostel was comfortable, clean and tidy with good kitchen facilities. The large cark park is a bonus and it is only a short walk to the town centre.Alan
04/05/19
An excellent hostel in an unrivalled location, love the peace of the place and the red squirrels in the woodland surroundingMumbles Head
03/05/19
Great. Good value and location for walking direct from the hostel or driving to interesting places.No
02/05/19
Nice hostel in a good location, showers were particularly good (V important when you've had a tough day on the hills), good size self catering kitchen and very helpful guy looking after the place.Paul Mann
28/04/19
Great welcome again, this is our third visit. It's starting to feel like home from home! Still have a few more Munros to bag so will definitely be back. Thanks.Hillwalker
27/04/19
For me, Braemar hostel remains one of the best in Scotland. It has an atmospheric location on the edge of the town, set up amongst a stand of mature pine trees in which birds and squirrels abound. The building is full of character, with high-ceilinged rooms, and plenty of space to move around in. Facilities are excellent - powerful, hot showers, a well-equipped kitchen and staff who are knowledgeable and helpful. The only thing it lacks is a quiet room, away from the TV for reading. Recommended!AlMu
24/04/19
Very welcoming and helpful staff who went 'the extra mile' to ensure my stay was a good one.Tony English
23/04/19
Excellent friendly, caring ,knowledable staff who do their utmost to make sure you enjoy your stay and come back.please do
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
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.
Why stay?
- 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.
