Durness Smoo
About About this youth hostel ....
Sitting on the famous NC500, surrounded by a wild and spectacular landscape, Durness Smoo offers a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A simple but welcoming base for exploring the local area the hostel offers a range of comfortable private rooms and shared dorms. None of the rooms are en-suite but ample shower and washroom facilities are available.
WiFi is free for all guests and other facilities include: a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, a small drying room and secure cycle storage. Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception and local shops are only a 15 minute walk away. The hostel is licensed so you can enjoy a local ale or glass of wine while relaxing in the hostel’s cosy lounge with its coal-burning stove. Parking facilities are available for up to six cars and guests are welcome to use the car park at the nearby Smoo Caves (local parking charges may apply).
On a clear night the starry skies are incredible and you might even catch the Northern Lights if you’re lucky!
Durness Smoo 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) 1971 511 264 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ and 'Heat it and eat it' evening meals available (please remember to pre-book your breakfast).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- On the NC500, surrounded by spectacular scenery
- Walking distance from Smoo Caves
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Dog Friendly
- Licensed, serving local beers and wine
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Durness Smoo Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April to 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
Late check in available on request and by prior arrangement. The youth hostel is closed between 10.00-17.00, though daytime access may be arranged.
Amenities
Pet Dogs Welcome
Private Rooms
Alcohol Licence
Towel Hire
Secure Lockers
Bike Store
Access with limited mobility
Free Tea and Coffee in Guest Kitchen
Free Wifi
Laundry Room
Drying Room
Luggage Store
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Guest Reviews
01/09/2024
I met a lot of people on different outdoor, holidays, camping and hike activities.I love the outdoors and this offered very scenic views, bike and walk routes.Whatever your interest I believe this will give you the best of experiences.Nice staff, clean and friendly environment with attentive staff that ensure you enjoy your time out there.X
30/08/2024
Great location. Small and quirky hostel. Very friendly atmosphere.Fordy
30/08/2024
A very simple place, but with nice people.Enrico
26/08/2024
A wonderful experience, extremely welcoming and hospitable wardens. Cleanliness impeccable, ditto all aspects of accommodation and leisure space - I have nothing but praise for Ben & Jan, and the high standard to which they run this hostel.Pablo
23/08/2024
basic facilities with super friendly staff at great locationjan ceyssens
22/08/2024
Intesting experience in a friendly atmosphere.Marta
17/08/2024
very good experience, clean and quiet hostel with nice kitchen and living room.rocky
11/08/2024
It's a small and simple but absolutely lovely hostel with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The staff are simply amazing, really helpful and kind and made me feel very welcome the entire time I was staying there. The surrounding scenery is stunning, there's lovely beaches and mountains to explore, and really well stocked shop within walking distance. Overall an amazing experience, I loved it there!Rosa
26/07/2024
This is a great place to stay if you are exploring the Highlands! The staff is so friendly and helpful and the rooms were very comfortable. The kitchen is well stocked and the hostel is in a great location to walk to other places in Durness.Aly
23/07/2024
A great location to explore the local attractionsFrankGuth
21/07/2024
Nice room for our family of four. Great when bed linnen is included! Great location close to the amazing Smoo cave!Therése Sjöberg
19/07/2024
Old fashioned hostel with impressive view to the ocean. Careful and friendly teamchwebster
19/07/2024
Hostelling as it was, and should be. For travelers not looking for flash and the perfect instagram selfie, but those who appreciate and respect a slower pace, experiencing a sense of the place they are visiting, and quiet respect for fellow travelers. A great place for solo travelers. Clean, safe, friendly, and a most stunning location.Guest Review
09/07/2024
Impeccable - every aspect as good as it can possibly be, plus a friendly welcome on arrivalPablo
04/07/2024
A superb place for a summer stay. Don't miss out enjoying the sunset from Balnakeil Beach and browsing the craft villageMumbles Head
26/06/2024
Due to change of personal circumstances, I decided to join hostel membership and stay in hostel as a solo Traveller this summer. I was pleasantly suprised on my first visit at Durness Smoo hostel. It's very clean, provides all the basics I need. Staffs are very helpful and welcoming, and made me feel at home. I am looking forward to my next adventure and thank you so much for the lovely stay.Jasmine
25/06/2024
A very nice hostel, both outside and inside. All the facilities were top quality, clean, well organized and well thought through. Very nice atmosphere. The staff is super friendlyDag
24/06/2024
Great place to stay.Cotterpin
18/06/2024
Lovelly situated and so near to smoo caveBernadette Niedermeyr
14/06/2024
It was wonderful and the staff was so helpful and kind!Agnes
03/06/2024
A fantastically rustic place to stay in a great location. Spotlessly clean and very comfortable indeed. The staff couldn't do enough to make for a very problem free stay.Keith E
28/05/2024
It's a hostel so you can't expect a luxurious hotel. But for the price it's more than I could ever ask. All hostels from hostelling Scotland I've been to were well organized, always clean and offered a friendly and comfortable athmosphere. Compared to an independent hostel I also stayed at in Edinbourgh, I preferred the overall experience at hostelling Scotland for sure.Manuel
28/05/2024
Perfect location, great value for money and lovely welcome - couldn't ask for more. Would highly recommend!Clare
14/05/2024
We enjoyed our stay very much and look forward to coming backCaecilia & Ritchey
14/05/2024
Everything was great, the location, the comfort of the beds, the woman AT the office was very helpful.Nina
04/05/2024
Provided a warm relaxing rest day after completing An Turas Mor trail. Best weather of the trip to boot.Guest Review
30/04/2024
Great place to to stay while touring on the North Coast 500 route.Rachel Lee
07/09/2023
The perfect beach hostel. It's old school but that's part of its charm. Friendly staff. Great stay.Claire
29/08/2023
This hostel is listed as 'rustic' but it has heaps more character and history than any other hostel on trip trip around Scotland. The staff went out of their way to make me comfortable.Andre
24/08/2023
Fabulous hostel in a fabulous location - definitely a hostel to visit.Guest Review
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!
