Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
PLEASE NOTE - There is no vehicle access to this hostel. Please leave your car at home!
Sitting on the southern shore of Loch Ossian, this traditional but homely eco-hostel makes a perfect base for hillwalkers looking to explore 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 a small shop selling ready meals, a range of snacks, postcards and sundries. 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 now 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.
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get away from it all. It has plenty of low and high level walks to choose from, including a variety of Munros and Corbetts. Popular with cyclists, star gazers, wildlife watchers, groups and families, it’s a great venue for a group getaway, or a peaceful break.
In extreme weather the hostel normally remains open during the day.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
For information on hostel accessibility please click here
Why stay?
- 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 (November-March: Wednesday to Sunday only, RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
09:00-10:30 and 17:00-22:00
Check in
16:00 - 21:00
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
Guest Kitchen
Bike Store
Guest Reviews
09/09/20
Loch Ossian is such a special place that it's a real privilege to stay there. The hostel is just right for the needs of my group with walking and swimming right on the doorstep. But what makes it even better is the friendly welcome and thoughtful service from the SYHA team. Can't wait for 2021Jon Williams
18/03/20
Great place to stay . Great warden, Tom ,who made everyone welcome and went the extra bit to make everything as comfortable and easy as possible. Many thanksPeter
17/03/20
Very helpful warden. Stunning location and overall the best escape from modern life...Geoff
14/03/20
It is such a lovely place! You can just relax there or have experience in the nature. Come down from everyday life. Great!Dajana
13/03/20
Usual great experience. Very relaxed atmosphere. All the snow was a bonus.Ian A
10/03/20
We had another fantastic stay at Loch Ossian through rent-a-hostel, we had 4 young people with us who had were amazed by the location and loved the freedom they got staying there. Thank you to Tom for being so helpful and friendly and for having the hostel toasty warm for our arrival.E Garden
08/03/20
The hostel is totally unique in a unique location. It has been carefully looked after and retains its Victorian woodclad charm. Its warm and cosy on a wintry night and the view from the womens dorm is spectacular.Sarah rest
02/03/20
An amazing experience. I will be returning, and often.Paul Kelly, Glasgow
02/03/20
Cosy, well kept hostel in a beautiful setting.Sara
29/02/20
Fantastic stay. Limited facilities, of course, but staying here should be one every bucket list!Andy Birmingham
28/02/20
It was rather like how I remember hostelling in my youth forty years ago: a warm welcome into a instant coterie of new friends.Ron
21/02/20
Unbeatable location. Friendly and helpful host.Matt
17/02/20
Excellent atmosphere in a remote location. The current manager (Tom) is very helpful and made our check-in/out and stay a breeze. A very good hostel overall and I'm looking forward to staying here again.Mahmoud (Southampton University Hillwalking Club)
15/02/20
Lovely wee hostel. Beautiful remote location, manager friendly and super-helpful. Cosy kitchen and comfy bunks. Shower room immaculately clean. Had a wonderful stay and lucked out with the winter weather - glorious sunshine lighting up the snowy landscape.Heather
15/02/20
We arrived in sunshine and everything was covered in deep snow. The hostel is surrounded by an amazing landscape and untouched nature. We were welcomed by Tom, who is very friendly, helpfull and looked, that the place is realy clean. With the coal fire, the wooden walls and the compost toilet the hostel has a charming rustic feel.Due to the weather the waterpipes did freeze, but they had bottled water and Tom managed to fix it.The kitchen is very well equiped, however there are no spices.Noah
10/02/20
Fantastic hostel in a remote beautiful location, facilities are great, hot showers and hot water bottles at the end of a day walking in the mountains was bliss. Tom the manager was very helpful and made sure our stay was great.Lesley & Ciorsti
09/02/20
The warden Tom deserves special mention, so helpful and welcoming. When I had to leave early due to storm Ciara closing the railway network he made onward reservations for me and could not have been more helpful. Thank you Tom! The hostel is lovely, if you like peace, quiet and magnificent surroundings consider a visit.IanGriffiths
03/02/20
Fantastic place.Kay Dollive
26/01/20
A beautiful hostel in a beautiful place. Why would you not visit Ossian?Nick Hampton
25/01/20
Great stay - shame the weather wasn't better but still an enjoyable couple of daysIrish Sharon
16/01/20
A great stay and an amazing location, even the train journey is sublime. Definitely will be returning....soon...!!No
31/12/19
Fantastic location with a friendly welcome from Tom who showed us around the hostel and introduced himself. Very nice atmosphere with the other visitors. Great access to the wild outdoors!Bikepacker1
22/12/19
The best hostel in the U.K. the perfect escape in every way. Thank you Tom for keeping an eye on us and making our stay at Loch Ossian warm and cosy :)Vicky and Co.
04/11/19
Our Rentahostel weekend was a great success. Warden Tom was welcoming; was there if we needed him, but left us to enjoy our walking trips and convivial evenings. Those who had not visited before were captivated by the setting and atmosphere of both the hostel and its location.Roger Mitchell
04/11/19
Tom was an excellent host!Viktor B.
01/11/19
Excellent location, friendly staffPhil
18/10/19
great stay in fantastic location, accessed by the train, thoroughly recommended!Mike
16/10/19
I've used several hostels in your system, usually in September-October. Loch Ossian is my favorite to date. The beautiful loch-side location, small size, & casual atmosphere of this place is very inviting. There are plenty of hiking options. The nearby Station House restaurant is not to be missed.Charles
09/10/19
A wonderful gem of a hostel nestled at the waters edge and with stunning views in all directions (weather permitting). Katrina's kind hospitality exemplifies all that is good with SYHA.Gee
06/10/19
Lovely Youth Hostel in a fantastic scenery! Cosy restaurant with excellent food is nearby at Corrour Railway Station.Alsa
Sitting on the southern shore of Loch Ossian, this traditional but homely eco-hostel makes a perfect base for hillwalkers looking to explore 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 a small shop selling ready meals, a range of snacks, postcards and sundries. 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 now 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.
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get away from it all. It has plenty of low and high level walks to choose from, including a variety of Munros and Corbetts. Popular with cyclists, star gazers, wildlife watchers, groups and families, it’s a great venue for a group getaway, or a peaceful break.
In extreme weather the hostel normally remains open during the day.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
For information on hostel accessibility please click here
Why stay?
- 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.
