Glen Affric Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
A finalist in TGO Magazine’s Hostel or Bunkhouse of the Year 2018, Glen Affric Youth Hostel is unique and remote.
A former stalking bothy on the Affric Estate, this friendly eco-hostel offers a warm welcome and an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland. A wind turbine and solar panels provide warm water and electricity, while the comfortable common room and kitchen are heated by wood and coal fires.
The hostel has two private rooms, as well as comfortable shared accommodation. Because of its remote location, provisions are limited and we ask guests to bring their own sleeping bags, torch, food, drink and appropriate clothing for the duration of their stay. There is a small hostel shop which sells soft drinks, juices, chocolate bars, healthy snacks, crisps and pouch meals. There is no WiFi or mobile phone reception at the hostel.
The hostel is only accessible on foot or by mountain bike, so please allow at least 3-4 hours to walk there. Its unique location is the closest you’ll get to an alpine hut in Scotland and a great experience waits for anyone prepared to make the effort to visit.
PLEASE NOTE:
- The hostel is situated on the Affric/ Kintail Way, a long distance path which has occasional signposts. However, we recommend that you bring a good map, a compass and torch, along with appropriate clothing for often very changeable weather conditions
- There is no refuse collection at the hostel, so anything you bring with you will need to leave with you!
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Unique and remote mountain location with stunning views
- It's one of a kind!
- A warm welcome & fantastic hospitality
- Warm and cosy
Glen Affric Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April - September
Reception Hours
07:00 - 10:30 and 17.00 - 22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
07:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Our porch is available for shelter outside opening hours
Amenities
Private Rooms Available
Drying Room
Guest Reviews
20/06/19
Great welcome from the warden and pleased that it has maintained unique ‘feel.Phil and Phillipa
18/06/19
Oh wow! Right from the greeting at the front door, to the endless bounty of local knowledge Graeme was a fabulous host. The place is cosy, with a warm fire, board games, local books and everything you need for a comfortable stay. The views and the sense of solitude are magical.Kate
17/06/19
Hanne welcomed us with tea and scones. She is a national treasure who works tirelessly to keep the hostel shipshape while engaging everyone in a mesh of friendliness. Would be hard to improve unless you ask her what would tweak the place to a higher plain of perfection.Bill
16/06/19
A gem of a YH and Hannah the warden is fantastic. Well worth the cycle in and a great spot for climbing a few hills.Peter C
16/06/19
This must be the most scenic, atmospheric and romantic hostel in Scotland. A pleasurable and wonderful place to stay. Hannah was a fantastic hostess, always helpful and hospitable. Will definitely return.Tonn
14/06/19
Warden Graham was really friendly and and helpful.Eddie
13/06/19
Just back from walking the Affric/Kintail Way, with three nights at Glen Affric YH, in the middle of nowhere. Coming down out of the mountains I felt incredibly sad to have left Allt Beithe - my stay there was like time out in another, and much saner world. This isn't just a warm, dry, clean, safe shelter from the elements, its a haven of real values - camaraderie & companionship with fellow walkers from all over the world, and insight into the (literally) life-saving rewilding of the landscape.P. Day
12/06/19
Glen Affric hostel is a great example of a hostel in a remote location, with beautiful scenery, a very welcoming warden and good facilities for hillwalkersNeil Anderson
10/06/19
Graeme a most welcoming host. Kettle always on, and every attention to detail. Beds very comfortable, plenty hot water. We walked the hills the day after our overnight stay then walked out afterwards, but not before Graeme had confirmed we were safely off the hills and a made sure a hot drink taken before the long walk out. Fabulous location. Amazing camaraderie. Only tip, add ‘keep to high fence line on right to stile' on access info. We saw gate & walked too low heading for it! Padlocked!!Brenda
10/06/19
Hannah is an excellent host, very friendly and knowledgable on the various walking routes and passes in / around the area. Very welcoming and makes everyone feel at home / at ease.Chris
10/06/19
Great hostel in a stunning location. Very friendly warden. Boots and clothes all dried out by the following morning thanks to the woodburners. Will definitely be back. Thank you for a wonderful stay.Anna
08/06/19
We stayed 4 nights to allow time for climbing a lot of munros in the area, and it rained every day! But coming back each evening to a warm, welcoming and sociable youth hostel was a delight. Thankyou!Bill Barron
06/06/19
The most remote hostel in Scotland - that`s what others mentioned to us and it seemed truly right. A beautiful place to be, even if you got stuck in case of really bad weather. We were glad to have been here and would have missed it if we weren`t. Most helpful warden - thank you for everything, we had a wonderful time!!!Julia
06/06/19
Location location location. This is a special hostel that requires a walk in to give unique access to the Scottish mountains. Warm cosy living room & kitchen. Top tip - bring a warm sleeping bag as rooms are cold.Tom Clendon
05/06/19
We were given a warm welcome, we arrived wet and late evening after a long cycle.We checked and shown around. We were invited to come to the kitchen where we were gives tea and scones.A really good wellcome, the rest of the stay was also great.Many thanksGaryGary
04/06/19
Hannah made this experience at the hostel perfect. She is a credit to you. She went above and beyond the call of duty and runs the hostel perfectly. It wouldn't have been the same experience without her.Lilian middleton
03/06/19
This was my first ever time in a youth hostel. A warm welcome from Hannah... she is a fabby host and a real credit to SYH. Lovely coal fire to greet us and dry our gear and gather round in the evening. We walked to the west which was perfect. I think folk taking bikes are hardy.. the gorge and some of the track are not the best for wheels.All in all absalutely fabulous. I will definately use a youth hostel again.Nicky
03/06/19
A special place, in a special place. After three nights in bothies, Altbeith was a true haven! I'll happily return, again and againDan Crowley
02/06/19
Fantastic atmosphere, in no small part due to the amazing warden, Hannah: unflappable, affable & good at talking to all her guests, making them feel at home. Most impressed with speedy resolution of hot water problem!Andrew
02/06/19
Wonderful location and amazing facilities for such a remote location. Hanna provides enthusiastic welcome to all comers and keeps hostel in A1 condition. Hostel warm and cosy with wood stoves, facilities to dry wet clothing, and lashings of hot water. Common room provides great atmosphere to spend evenings with friendly,international company to share experiences of the day. Hope to visit again to walk more hills !Pam
02/06/19
Stunning place in the middle of nature. Very friendly staff. Dormitory is simple with space for 10 people.Stefanie
01/06/19
We really enjoyed our 3 night visit. Hannah was a perfect warden. Met some lovely people. Looking forward to returning already!Jennifer
01/06/19
The nearest to an Alpine refuge that I have found in the UK, remote, a lovely welcoming warden, good company. Great place.AnnieS
31/05/19
Excellent hostel, friendly, clean and lovely knowledgeable host Hannah! Good facilities and lovely wee shop.Gillian
31/05/19
No-one comes to the Glen Affric Hostel for comfort and facilities; they come for the experience, beauty and the remoteness. Sure, the dorms can be a little cold and you have to go to the next building to get to a toilet, but there's everything you'll need and it's a lovely place to escape weather. Hannah, the manager, was very welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful, and the facilities were excellent if a little bare, but the setting allows for little else. Beautiful, self-sufficient hostel.Matti
26/05/19
Hannah is the perfect warden , always cheery , very helpful and her homemade scones were spot on after a day in the hills.Alan ,Gourock
24/05/19
Fantastic location. Very friendly and welcoming. A unique hostel in that it is only accessible on foot or by bike. Highly recommended.Mike C
23/05/19
Stayed on the 10th May 2019 on the 1st night of my tgoc crossing of Scotland.As ever Hanna was the perfect host providing answers to all our needs.The location is superb and perfect for doing walks/munros/cyclingFatbandbaz
23/05/19
Graham made us very welcome covering for the full time warden Hannah. Graham was full of information and fun though we did miss Hannah's home baking! A wonderful hostel in a remote beautiful place.Jim's cycle peloton tour
22/05/19
Amazing stay in the middle of nowhere! We planned a coming back allreadyElena K
A former stalking bothy on the Affric Estate, this friendly eco-hostel offers a warm welcome and an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland. A wind turbine and solar panels provide warm water and electricity, while the comfortable common room and kitchen are heated by wood and coal fires.
The hostel has two private rooms, as well as comfortable shared accommodation. Because of its remote location, provisions are limited and we ask guests to bring their own sleeping bags, torch, food, drink and appropriate clothing for the duration of their stay. There is a small hostel shop which sells soft drinks, juices, chocolate bars, healthy snacks, crisps and pouch meals. There is no WiFi or mobile phone reception at the hostel.
The hostel is only accessible on foot or by mountain bike, so please allow at least 3-4 hours to walk there. Its unique location is the closest you’ll get to an alpine hut in Scotland and a great experience waits for anyone prepared to make the effort to visit.
PLEASE NOTE:
- The hostel is situated on the Affric/ Kintail Way, a long distance path which has occasional signposts. However, we recommend that you bring a good map, a compass and torch, along with appropriate clothing for often very changeable weather conditions
- There is no refuse collection at the hostel, so anything you bring with you will need to leave with you!
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Unique and remote mountain location with stunning views
- It's one of a kind!
- A warm welcome & fantastic hospitality
- Warm and cosy
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Reasons to visit
Nestled amongst beautiful scenery, this former stalking bothy on the Glen Affric Estate is a haven for walkers and mountain bikers, nature lovers and those seeking solitude.
One for real outdoor enthusiasts, the hostel has 15 Munros on its doorstep and good tracks wind through the valleys for both walking and mountain biking.
The Falls of Glomach, a seven mile walk from the hostel, is well worth a visit.
