Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
A former hunting lodge, Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel sits on the northern shore of Loch Gairloch with magnificent sea and mountain views.
Gairloch Sands is a popular choice for groups, families and individual travellers, offering a good range of shared and private accommodation. The hostel has a good range of facilities including an excellent dining room, a well-equipped self-catering kitchen and a lounge which is a particular favourite with guests, boasting stunning panoramic views of the Torridon hills and Loch Gairloch.
With dog friendly accommodation available at Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel, your four-legged friend will be able to join in on all the fun! A small fee of £5 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.
Gairloch Sands 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
The youth hostel is closed between 10:00 and 17:00
Amenities
Free Wifi
Alcohol Licence
Private Rooms Available
Family Rooms Available
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Self Catering Kitchen
Complimentary Tea and Coffee available in Self Catering Kitchen
Lounge Area
Laundry Room
Towel Hire Available
Drying Room
Secure Lockers
Pet Dogs Welcome
'Heat it and Eat Meals' available
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Guest Reviews
14/07/2018
Happy to have been able to have Gairloch Youth Hostel as our base for wonderful hikes in the close and further way area.
Christine
29/06/2018
Formidable endroit et accueil chaleureux.
Translation: 'Great place and warm welcome'
French traveller
09/06/2018
Beautifully sited hostel with very friendly helpful manager. This is the best hostel we have used this year!
Wyefour
07/06/2018
Beautifully situated hostel with superb views. Fabulous beach nearby as is the interesting village of Gairloch. Many hill & aquatic adventures await! The hostel retains its character with wood panelled walls and ceilings - wonderful.
Thehappyheadtorch
09/06/2018
Excellent location - the view from the lounge is truly amazing. Staff are very accommodating and friendly. Will definitely be back!
Martin
11/06/2018
We had a great time at this hostel - would definitely come again!
charlyB
22/11/2017
We rented the whole hostel for my birthday with RentaHostel. There were 27 of us staying very comfortably in this beautiful old hunting lodge which has been a youth hostel since 1932. The location is stunning in the shore overlooking the Torridon and Skye mountain ranges, and out across the Munch to the outer isles. The facilities are fantastic and we were all very warm and comfortable, and the kitchen easily catered for us all. Would highly recommend this hostel and would return!
Christine
28/09/2017
This is an excellent hostel in a beautiful location with sunsets and sunrises which can be stunning. Facilities as at all Hostelling Scotland youth hostels are very good, and it is a comfortable place to relax after a hard day. Well situated for many mountain expeditions and close enough to Gairloch village and its shops, cafes and bars, it is an ideal location. We shall certainly be back soon.
Alan MacRae - Scotland
09/09/2017
Quiet location with wonderful views over the loch.
Redduster
08/09/2017
Great hostel. A bit of a trek from the main village so you'd have to drive/cycle to the shops/restaurants. Stop at the nature reserve near Loch Maree just before Gairloch - there are some cool waymarked walking routes.
Rhiannon
05/06/2018
Staff very helpful. Popular and busy hostel - book ahead! Good base for an activity holiday.
Fidi33
Reasons to visit
Gairloch Sands provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities with dolphins, whales and otters often spotted at the front of the hostel. Golden sandy beaches are only a five minute walk away and boat trips to watch whales and dolphins are available from nearby Gairloch. The Torridon mountain range is a short drive away and the local village also boasts fine pubs, coffee shops, local seafood and an award-winning heritage museum. The famous Inverewe Garden is close by.
Loch Maree is one of the most picturesque lochs in Scotland and well worth a visit. Take a boat trip on the loch or walk through the surrounding countryside and catch sight of the wild deer who roam its banks. The more adventurous can take to the water with kayaking and canoe trips available locally.
With a number of Munros on the doorstep, Gairloch Sands is a popular destination for serious hillwalkers but there are a number of less strenuous walks nearby. The walk to Flowerdale Waterfall is uphill and fairly rocky, so not suitable for pushchairs or anyone with limited mobility, but for those able to make the climb the rewards are glorious views over the woodland and loch beyond and an impressive waterfall (especially after heavy rains).
