Durness Smoo Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
On the North Coast 500 and surrounded by wild and spectacular landscape, Durness Smoo offers a relaxed and friendly base to explore the local area. From the youth hostel you can venture out to explore moorland, mountains, sea cliffs, beaches and waterfalls. A refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, John Lennon holidayed in Durness for many years.
The hostel offers both shared and private accommodation, a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, drying room and cosy lounge heated by a coal-burning stove.
Local attractions include the famous Smoo Cave (situated next to the youth hostel) Cape Wrath, Handa Island and Balnakeil Craft Village (only a short distance away). Hill walkers will love Foinaven, Ben Hope, Ben Loyal and Cranstackie and, for those wishing simply to relax, Balnakeil Beach and Faraid Head are beautiful sandy beaches with large sand dunes waiting to be explored.
With dog friendly accommodation available, your four-legged friend will be able to join in on all the fun! A small fee of five pounds per dog per night will be charged and must be booked in advance to ensure that a dog friendly room is allocated. For further information please refer to our Dog Guidelines
We're on the North Coast 500 driving route! Click here to find out how you can enjoy 10% off car hire
Hostellers LOVE...
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Unique, unspoilt location on the NC500
- Private rooms available
- Luggage store
Durness Smoo Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April - September (RentaHostel available all year)
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
There is no daytime access to the youth hostel between 10:00 - 17:00.
Amenities
Free Wifi
Private Rooms Available
Family Rooms Available
Self Catering Kitchen
Alcohol Licence
Laundry Room
Towel Hire Available
Drying Room
Secure Lockers
Luggage Store
Bike Store
Pet Dogs Welcome
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Access with limited mobility
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Complimentary Tea and Coffee available in Self Catering Kitchen
Guest Reviews
01/10/18
I took a school group of 19 teenage boys and 6 staff to the hostel. It fitted our needs perfectly, the social area was ideal for the group and a great place to unwind with other guests as well as for the group to have some down time and play games. The staff were brilliant, very helpful and yet very laid back, nothing was a stress or a problem. We will definitely be back.John Georgeson
30/09/18
Great stay, we were cycling and were pretty wet when arrived, really helpful staff who offered to wash and dry our cycling gear.Iain
30/09/18
An old fashioned style of hostel with modern facilities. An excellent common area with a real fire that reminds me of the sprit of Hostels in my youth..
08/08/18
Lovely and cozy hostel at a great location on the North Coast 500 route. Tip: Spend at least 2 nights here to enjoy all the lovely walks in the area. Really enjoyed my stay here and would recommend it to everyone.Dutch backpacker
20/07/18
If you have a bike, boat, shoes or a car head east, coastline is wonderful, and go to Cape Wrath, what an experience, won't say any more, just make sure you go......Chris Armishaw
16/07/18
I was doing the NC500 on a motorbike. There is a nearby campsite with pub and food within walking distance so all you need!Julian from Brighton
07/07/18
We would highly recommend eating in the Durness Smoo Cave Hotel up the road. We went for dinner (try the steak pie and chilli!) and enjoyed it so much we went back and had an amazing full breakfast the next day all of which were very reasonably priced! Also do the cave tour, the tour guide was knowledgable and humorous!Jenny
24/06/18
Make sure you check out Smoo Cave and take a tour of you can - it was the highlight of my trip!MJ
06/06/18
Recommended place to stayRobert H
25/09/17
Beware the single track road between Rhiconich and Durness-The North Coast 500 has done motorists(and cyclists) no favours.Norseman Bruce
22/09/17
The walk to Faraid Head is highly recommended.John
21/09/17
Take ear plugs!! out of a 12 person dorm there will always be someone who Snores!! !Forres Lad
18/09/17
Great little hostel to stay in in Durness/Smoo. Comfy warm beds, hot shower, great facilities in the kitchen/lounge area and friendly helpful staff. Set in a beautiful part of the country and close to beautiful views of the sea. Great place to stay!Chelsea
29/08/17
A great wee hostel, perfect location, unique place to stay, surrounded by beautiful flowers and big skies!Claire
29/08/17
Book early, this is a super hostel in a great location.biggreentravel
29/08/17
Durness Smoo is ideally placed in a wonderful location by Smoo Cave with coastal views. Comfortable, cosy and welcoming with the basic essentials provided to refuel, wash and sleep, as well as local advice & tips. Non-fussy which is just what we needed. Beers from Orkney Brewery recommended too. Will definitely return.JulieSkelton
25/08/17
Bellissimo ! oltre ad una location unica incastonata in un paesaggio da film , abbiamo trovato un ambiente quasi famigliare , ottima accoglienza e disponibilità! Consigliato.Tortato Mauro
18/08/17
Arrived very wet on our bikes but could use the facilities before registering so could dry off. Appreciated the heating and fire! Excellent positionCj
14/08/17
Well niceMick
10/08/17
Great locations!Glenda
08/08/17
It was really a beautiful place, hostel and welcoming stay ! If I will come back in Scotland I'll certainly book again here and I recommend this hostel. My first true nights are there :) good at allPeyrine
07/08/17
We stayed for 3 nights in this wonderful hostel that is so full of character and in a lovely position. The staff were very helpful and friendly and the hostel is very clean and well equipped - it has a real community feel and is a great place for those who appreciate meeting and socialising with others in a very special part of Scotland.Ms Treadlightly
29/07/17
tricky parkingCelia
26/07/17
beautiful road driving up west along the coastAnnemarie
23/07/17
Great hostel in a fantastic place, And Jules was great and very helpfultynesidelad
12/07/17
A lovely hostel in a beautiful setting. A great place to get away from it all. The hostel has a comfortable lounge which is great to CRL up with a good book or ponder overmaps abd prepare for tomorrow.Colin.
03/07/17
Lovely hostel in a unique location. Although remote, and an ex army hut, it was comfortable and well equipped. Very pleasant common room area. Very good shower.WillowTree
03/07/17
Perfect for exploring the beaches and walks along the coast. Great place to stay.Kmoore
03/07/17
Do not care for the syha policy of locking guests out of the hostel between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m.Inel
30/05/17
Great location by smoo caves. Lovely atmosphere and staff very friendly. It's basic but I stayed one night and it was perfect for my needs. XCatherine
We're on the North Coast 500 driving route! Click here to find out how you can enjoy 10% off car hire
Hostellers LOVE...
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Unique, unspoilt location on the NC500
- Private rooms available
- Luggage store
Reasons to visit
Located on the North Coast 500 and surrounded by wild and spectacular landscape, Durness Smoo offers a relaxed and friendly base to explore the local area from mountains to sea cliffs, beaches and waterfalls. On a clear night the starry skies are incredible, made even more memorable if you're lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights.
With its rocky coastline, turquoise waters and sweeping golden sands, Durness Beach is a perfect example of the spectacular scenery you will find in the North West Highlands.
With three huge chambers and a 20 metre high waterfall through its heart, Smoo Cave is Britain’s biggest sea cave and a marvellous sight. Legend even has it that the cave is home to the spirits who guard the entrance to the netherworld. Explore the mystical cave before stretching your legs on the Smoo Cave and Bhlar Duibhe walk, an enjoyable circular route through open moorland and a popular choice with birdwatchers.
From wildlife to natural wonders and ancient history, Durness captures Scotland at its best!
