Loch Ossian
About About this youth hostel ....
PLEASE NOTE - There is no vehicle access to this hostel. Please leave your car at home!
This traditional but homely eco-hostel hostel sits on the southern shore of Loch Ossian and is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get away from it all. Loch Ossian is hugely popular with walkers and outdoor enthusiast looking to explore and enjoy the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor.
Accommodation at the hostel is in male and female specific dorms, but groups and families have the option of booking a dorm for exclusive use. The hostel has a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, with fridge, and basic provisions, snacks and ready meals are available to purchase. Drying is available on two overhead racks and boot stands by the fire - the perfect place to relax after a day on the hills.
Guests can enjoy a welcome hot shower, thanks to the development of locally sourced hydro power complimenting the micro generated solar power supply. There’s also electric panel heating throughout and all bed linen is provided, so no need for sleep sheets or sleeping bags. Other green initiatives include composting toilets, a reed bed grey water drainage system - and even bat-friendly paint!
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is only accessible by rail, bike or foot. Corrour railway station (Glasgow to Fort William line) is the highest mainline railway station in the UK and the hostel is a short, approximately 20 minute walk from the station along a well-made track.
In extreme weather the hostel normally remains open during the day.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Award winning eco hostel
- Off the grid!
- Beautiful loch side setting with stunning views and dark skies
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Great base for outdoor enthusiasts
- Regular visits from local wildlife
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
Open all year (Opening days vary in the winter - please check online for availability, RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
09:00-10:00 and 16:00-22:00
Check in
16:00 - 22:00
Check out
07:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Closed between 10:30-16:30. Please note, there is no vehicle access - the hostel is only accessible by rail, bike or on foot
Amenities
Bike Store
Guest Reviews
04/12/2024
It was excellentPatrick
04/12/2024
Despite the various modernizations in recent years (e.g. electricity) Loch Ossian YH has kept its character as a basic accomodation with a very warm and friendly atmosphere in the common room / kitchen. Jan, the warden, really loves "her" hostel. You alway meet nice folk there! And it´s always emotional when the lake and the hostel finally disappear on the way towards Courrour Station. We definitely will return!Franz, Hochfilzen, Austria
28/11/2024
From the walk in, this place is super special. The bunks are super cosy too. Just feels so unique. Great for me to get a winter dip too.Mary Dig
27/11/2024
A great facility, in a great location, with a superb manager.James
22/11/2024
An incredible stay at Loch Ossian. Jan was super accommodating and made me feel at home. Will be back!Fariya
18/11/2024
Exceptional location, we had an amazing weekend. Steps down to the loch were a plus for the swimmers in our group.araucaria
17/11/2024
brilliant would recommend to anyoneBuchy
14/11/2024
Pleasant experience and a great location to access an area which would otherwise be difficult to explore (esp in late autumn/winter)Guest Review
08/11/2024
Brilliant stay. Jan is a gem.Guest Review
07/11/2024
Very comfortable with a stunning location Well with the cycle out to stay there and having the station restaurant on its door step.Doug Wilson
07/11/2024
Friendly hostel in a great locationAlanR
07/11/2024
Fantastic location with a very helpful warden would easily recommendGuest Review
04/11/2024
Loch Ossian Hostel is always a special place to spend time. Jan is a brilliant host and always makes it feel like a home from home. We will be back.Anna Danby
03/11/2024
The place is a true oasis! Very comfortable with an amazing friendly atmosphere. It makes you feel like you're just staying at your family weekend house (with better views!).Veronika
29/10/2024
My overall experience in Loch Ossian was memorable And will forever have a place in my heart.There was a sense of complete tranquility and a welcomed return of that feeling of escaping from the pace of the modern working world.Guest Review
25/10/2024
Warm welcome from the host and the other people staying there. Nice hostel atmosphere.Guest Review
23/10/2024
Beautiful place and wonderful atmosphere!Guest Review
22/10/2024
Great stay on an amazing location. Friendly and helpful hostRob
21/10/2024
This hostel does have a character, due to the specific location and the friendliness of the people wo usually stay there. It is a good starting point to lot of walks in the area, but do not count on any luxuries.Tess
13/10/2024
I will be come certainly backGuest Review
09/10/2024
Beautiful locationFraser
07/10/2024
If you're looking to get somewhere remote, but don't want to hike all day to get there - this is your place to go. Easy access by train, wonderful surroundings, best staff ever.Wandering Wizard
04/10/2024
Great locationGuest Review
29/09/2024
Perfect location for getting to the hills I wanted to walk onAndy
28/09/2024
Location is incredible. The warden was super welcoming and friendly. Great food and atmosphere in the near by station. An overall unique experience.Guest Review
27/09/2024
Mooie omgeving, een echte aanrader in een stilte-gebiedNEE
25/09/2024
Hostel makes a great place to stop in a remote location without the need for tent etc. Proximity of station house pub/restaurant is an added bonus meaning no need to carry much food either. I cycled in from Moy which is an easy 12 mile gravel route. Lots of other bikepackers at hostel.Bone
21/09/2024
Go to Loch Ossian to truly escape from the modern world - a timeless and exquisitely beautiful placeJane with the green fringe
21/09/2024
I had a wonder stay at Loch Ossian, the location, the charm and the atmosphere of this hostel make it a very special one. Jan went above and beyond by making up my bed when my train was late and the hostel was spotlessly clean, not so easy to do in a rural setting. This is a hostel I will keep returning toClaire
20/09/2024
I had a lovely stay at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. Warm, clean accommodation in beautiful surroundings. Thanks again to Jan and Hilary for your hospitalityMark
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 bucket load.
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.
Video by kind permission of Ailidh Beaton of Ridgeline Prints
