Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
If there's one thing you need to do in your lifetime, it's to stay at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. Not our words - but taken from an article featuring the top places to visit in your lifetime.
Surrounded by Munros and only accessible by rail, bike or foot, this small, homely eco-hostel sitting on the banks of Loch Ossian with truly exceptional views is an excellent base for hill walkers.
Accommodation at Loch Ossian is only available in male or female only dormitories, but the hostel is also available for exclusive private rental. Children and families are very welcome and a range of games and activities are provided. Other facilities include a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, hot showers, a fridge, overhead drying racks and boot stands by the fire. There's also a small shop selling ready meals and a range of snacking essentials, postcards and sundries.
The team at Loch Ossian is very proud of its eco-hostel status, with locally sourced hydro power complementing the hostel's existing micro-generated solar power supply along with other green initiatives such as composting toilets and a reed bed soakaway for grey water.
In extreme weather the youth hostel normally remains open during the day.
Please bear in mind that there is no road access to the youth hostel or to Corrour station. Arrive on foot from Corrour station (West Highlands Glasgow to Fort William line, one mile away).
Hostellers Love...
Friendly, knowledgeable staff
Beautiful loch side setting with stunning views
Warm and welcoming atmosphere
Regular visits from local deer
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
Open all year
Reception Hours
Open until 22:00
Check in
16:30 - 22:30
Check out
07:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
The youth hostel is closed between 10:00 - 16:30.
Amenities
Self Catering Kitchen
Bike Store
Guest Reviews
30/10/18
Wonderful location and considering the remoteness the level of facilities were far beyond my expectations.PhilR
28/10/18
Catriona the warden made us especially welcome . Such personalities make all the difference to a visit - she was professional but friendly at the same time !Tansy
26/10/18
Great remote place to stay between two days of Corbett bagging. Warm and comfortable, and a friendly welcome. Almost a shame to find a phone signal in such a location!David
22/10/18
Perfect location. Wonderful warden and great facilities. Excellent base for walking or just chilling out. Very good restaurant up at the station now.Kalie
20/10/18
Jan, Hostel Manager, adds to the wonder of Ossian. Always responding to previsit info, then emailing to warn of possible rail disruption. Her huge welcoming smile is a joy. She's part of what makes the place unique. Thank you Jan xRob Mitchell, Whitby
19/10/18
Amazing location with great access to the mountains. Beautiful and well maintained building. Jan who runs the hostel is a delight.Shaken007
14/10/18
It was glorious to get away from everything except good conversation with interesting travelers. I loved being in a remote location where everyone came to experience the extraordinary land. No phones, no internet, the only distractions were attractions. I came to Loch Ossian in mid September and returned with a friend in October. Each time offered new delights and the desire to investigate other Scottish hostels. Another delight –– the luxury of two pillows.Karen from Portland Oregon
13/10/18
Fantastic location. Ideal for cycling on the tracking around loch Ossian and beyond. Phone signal outside the hostel by the Hydro Shed about 200 yards from the Hostel. Staff so helpful, thanks Jan.Judy
08/10/18
what an amazing place, amazing setting and great facilities, I so love this place and will be coming back again.Willie J.
07/10/18
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is very special. The view of the Loch from the hostel door is like the nave of a natural cathedral. The religion it celebrates is difficult to tie down but it touches the soul.Pip Rolls
24/09/18
The warden, Catriona, was very kind and helpful, making us very welcome. Many of the visitors had been here before lots of times before - Ossian is the kind of location that draws people back time after time.Alan
18/09/18
Our weekend at Loch Ossian was great - a stunning location, a friendly and helpful warden, and a really interesting group of fellow hostellers. When combined with excellent walking in some "bracing" Scottish weather, it definitely merits a return visit!Philip H
15/09/18
Just the best location, ever. Great atmosphere and charmBest view from a hostel, anywhere!!
12/09/18
Fantastic from start to finish. Other than the stunning location, the hostel was clean, warm, and welcoming. Jan was an excellent host!Steve, (organiser of annual trip to the highlands for the benefit of my London based mates).
12/09/18
A perfect situation at the head of Loch Ossian, the remote and wild location, and the warm, helpful welcome by Jan, the guardian, guarantees an unforgettable stay.Hugo
10/09/18
Beautifully situated at Loch Ossian and at a convenient walk from Corrour station, one could call this hostel a little old-fashioned, but it sure kept its charm. Friendly and helpful staff!Peter
10/09/18
The location of the YH is 100%, as long as you like being off the beaten track, peaceful, surrounded by wildlife and not cars. Janet was great and the small shop she had was sufficient to supply basic food.Steve
18/08/18
Simply; just visit this hostel. Remote, rural, rustic and remarkable. Serenity guaranteed.Ilona T
10/08/18
Magical place! Go there!!?
07/08/18
If you're taking the train, get out at Rannoch station for a coffee and a scone and hike the long way round to the hostel, it's worth it.Richard
14/07/18
Great Spot, lovely House and Stuff, good thing that you can‘t get there by car.Brack Family
04/06/18
This is the ideal hostel if you want to get away from it all. Don't expect luxury and come with an open mind and be ready to chat to the great mix of adventurers who stay here. It really is a unique gem of a hostel in a fabulous location. Sssh, don't tell everyone though!Scot on tour
24/05/18
Just back from an overnight stay. Jan was so welcoming and helpful. There have been some improvements to the hostel since my last visit which made our trip even more enjoyable.(hot showers and a fridge)The views were spectacular, the sun was shining and I even managed a swim in the loch.It was also refreshing to see so many young people enjoying it too!Lesley
22/05/18
Out on Rannoch moor, Ossian Hostel provides a welcome haven within easy reach of some greating walking.Wanderer1
14/05/18
Such a special place in a most wonderful and remote part of Scotland. Part of its appeal is that facilities are so basic and that it isn't easily accessible. A great place to 'get away from it all'.Cath
03/05/18
Beautiful setting, cosy simple hostel. Very communal. Friendly warden.CMShawb
13/04/18
A lovely remote hostel. Our young people thoroughly enjoyed their stay.Dunbar Boys Brigade
01/04/18
Best Hostel in the UK for me so far. Gotta have tons of understanding for dependency on nature that sometimes has influence on running this very green/eco friendly location. The location is AMAZING and staff+guests too. Waking up to a warm fire in the common room? 10/10flo
04/03/18
I travelled to Corrour in February 2018 to bag Munros Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre. Rather than rush round the circuit to make the train home I opted to take my time and stay at the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel afterwards. I was made very welcome by the hostel manager, Jan, and she made sure that the hostel was warm and comfortable for this time of year and nothing was a bother. I was very fortunate to have a dorm to myself due to visiting mid week which added to my enjoyment. Certainly worth a visitJohn Paterson
13/02/18
Old style basic hostel but with a location that more than makes up for any minor discomfort. Be prepared, there is nothing there but wonderful views and wildlife (the amazing Stags came right up to the hostel door!). A stay to remember.Nuala
Friendly, knowledgeable staff
Beautiful loch side setting with stunning views
Warm and welcoming atmosphere
Regular visits from local deer
">Reasons to visit
Set high on Rannoch Moor and surrounded by Munros, Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is only accessible by rail, bike or on foot. It’s the perfect location to get away from it all and access unspoiled natural beauty by the bucketload.
The rail journey to Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is via the famous West Highland Railway line which takes in the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous as the bridge from the Harry Potter films, arriving at Corrour railway station, featured in the original Trainspotting film.
Sitting on the banks of Loch Ossian, with truly exceptional views, this small homely eco-hostel is an excellent base for hill walkers of all abilities, providing fantastic mountain and low level walks from its doorstep.
From the local stag who likes to come and visit, to the 'dark sky' that brings the stars to life, it’s no wonder a stay at Loch Ossian is on so many bucket lists.
