Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
Advice on Covid-19 is constantly changing and may differ across the UK. In Scotland the wearing of facemasks remains a legal requirement in indoor settings and we would ask all guests to please respect this.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests, employees and the communities in which we operate remains our main priority at this time. For more information on what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ's section of this website.
Please continue to refer to Scottish Government guidelines and Transport Scotland advice on travel and social distancing when making your booking.
PLEASE NOTE - There is no vehicle access to this hostel. Please leave your car at home!
Winner of the Silver Award in the The Great Outdoors Magazine Awards 2021 for accommodation, this traditional but homely eco-hostel hostel sits on the southern shore of Loch Ossian and 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
Bike Store
Guest Reviews
05/01/22
Lovely hostel in a remote location. Clean, warm and dry. Excellent warden (Jan) looking after us. Will definitely return.Shaun
28/11/21
As usual the stay at Loch Ossian was very enjoyable despite the low number of visitors and restrictions in placeJan as always the perfect hostess who cant do enough to make your stay enjoyableBongoBob
18/11/21
I almost don't want to say how good this place is - because if people knew, it would be fully booked year round and I wouldn't be able to go back! It is in a truly wild and magical location right on the loch shore, concealed by a cluster of trees. Inside is a warm, cozy refuge - with electric, showers, heating, a log fire, a fully functional kitchen. It's an adventure to get to being 17miles from a road (but 1 mile from Corrour station). Was super clean, and hosts Jan and Katrina are superb.Jenna
27/10/21
Wonderful location and the perfect mini adventure for our young childrenCarol
23/10/21
I couldn't imagine a better place to celebrate a birthday. Turning 56 with my partner Mark and 16 wonderful friends surrounded by stunning scenery made this a trip to remember above all. The reaction from the group on approach was phenomenal. Above all, we could not praise Jan and Katrina enough. Jan dealt with countless queries prior to arrival and Katrina looked after us so well. You two are absolute stars and the creators of lifelong memories. Thank you from the bottom of 18 hearts. ??????Rob Mitchell, Whitby & OutdoorLads
21/10/21
We had a fantastic "last Munro" celebration weekend at Loch Ossian hostel. We booked the whole hostel. Despite challenging logistical problems (train strike on the day we were due to arrive and climb Beinn na Lap) Jan did a great job ensuring these were ironed out and the day ran smoothly. The hostel is in a fantastic location and it was a joy to have it to ourselves.Heather
14/10/21
Loch Ossian hostel is in possibly the most beautiful place on Earth. The hostel itself is small but comfortable and right on the shore of the loch, surrounded by mountains and stunning woodland. Jan, the hostel manager, is extremely friendly and helpful. Our stay was idyllic and we will definitely return.Sapna
13/10/21
We had block booked the whole hostel for 19, but there were a small number of call offs and only 15 made it for the 3 days. The fact that we had some spare beds allowed us to take in a couple of cyclists for a night who arrived wet through. They were charming and it was pleasure to feed them, and they generously said they would make a donation to the Mountain Bothy Association. Our weather wasn't the best, but we all thoroughly enjoyed the hostel and the remote setting.Dave Williamson
12/10/21
We were a group of 12 adults who were looking for some time together to enjoy walking, cycling, swimming, eating and dancing. It was the perfect spot. The views down the loch were spectacular! The hot showers were appreciated after a dip in the loch and the general facilities of the hostel were impressive. The beds were cosy and the hostel was warm. We had a meal at the Corrour Station Restaurant one night which helped a bit with the catering. Jan, the hostel manager, was very welcoming.Lesley
09/10/21
Beds and bedding were the most comfortable that I have had for a long time. My wife and I were given an otherwise empty 12 bed room so we felt very comfortable. With full occupancy it would be rather stretched (more youth-hostel-like) Beautiful location.Wojciech.
28/09/21
Great place to stay in a fabulous location. Jan, the warden, was very welcoming and very hlpful throughout our stay. Many thanks. We will be back ... already booked for next year!Nicki from Edinburgh
05/09/21
To stay at the youth hostel at Loch Ossian is to experience the unparalleled best of Scottish hostelling. The warden is welcoming, friendly and helpful night and day. The kitchen & dining room is handsome, clean and well-equipped, with a homely fire burning in the stove. The dormitories are if possible even cleaner and the beds soft, relaxing and delightful.Michael Upton
31/08/21
A very special place. The host, Jan, keeps the place spotless and gives the place a great vibe. Loved it.Chris B
17/08/21
Great location and brilliant staff. ?? A great location.Kevin
16/08/21
A great team that makes you feel at home. 100% ??Kevin
06/08/21
Breath-taking surroundings. Really clean hostel, superb kitchen facilities, very friendly welcome. Outstanding experienceStuart
05/08/21
We came away as two families, with 4 teenage boys and booked out the 8-bed dorm. The warden Jan met us as we approached the hostel, a 20-25 minute walk from the train station. Jan is very warm and personable. We were interested in her journey to where she is now and what it's like to stay at Loch Ossian throughout the year. We all needed a break somewhere picturesque and quiet. We got that. We walked around the loch. We swam in the loch and had two evening meals at the Station. Fab!Glasgow & Durham On Tour
03/08/21
It was wonderful - hostel is in a magical location and walking down from the station makes the anticipation grow all the more (even though this is my third visit). Lovely that everyone gets their without a car. Dorms are comfy, showers are great, flowers outside are beautiful, loch is great for swimming, Jan is helpful and atmosphere is relaxed.Alice
30/07/21
Super location and Jan,the manager, went out if her way to make us welcome - nothing was too much trouble. We will be back !L C Andrews
27/07/21
Absolutely superb. Jan, the warden couldn't have been more helpful and friendly, while at the same time running an extremely efficient operation. I'd last visited in 1976 and while enjoyable I recall major problems with midges, and heat in the dorm due to closed windows in a vain attempt to keep them out. No such problems now, with very effective midge-proof gauze on the opening windows. Hot showers too - great - I think in '76 we got water from the loch!David Langton
15/07/21
This place is all about the location, its unique a great spot with amazing scenery as you arrive!Iain
16/06/21
It was a magical experience staying at Loch Ossian Hostel. Jan, the manager, was so warm and friendly, we felt at home immediately.Pat
14/12/20
I had a fantastic stay in such a remote and spectacular setting, the warden couldn't do enough to ensure that my arrival was comfortable and everything I needed was there including kindling for the fire which was very welcome! This is a truly special place with lots of history and it's great to be part of it in a small way with the opportunity to stay such a simple and comfortable wilderness oasis.Jerome Pappi Finlayson
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
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.
