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!
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
Video by kind permission of Ailidh Beaton of Ridgeline Prints
For information on our COVID-19 practices and what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ’s section. Please also be aware of Scottish Government guidance when making your booking.
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
22/05/22
A special hostel in a special place. Small, homely, friendly with all the basics well covered. Unique and one of the best in Scotland for those enjoying the outdoors, far from habitation.Colin
18/05/22
Everything about this hostel says "Visit Me!". The manager Jan runs a smooth operation and she is happy to answer any query about the booking, no matter how small. The atmosphere in the hostel is friendly and relaxed and given the Scottish weather, the drying space for clothes and the hot showers are very welcome indeed. Even the beds are comfortable, and the nearby Station House Restaurant does great food. We'll be back!Richard Tiplady
16/05/22
We were lucky with the weather, which elevates experience of using this accomodation from great to unbeatable. Lovely staff, fantastic accomodation, the sense of true remoteness and magnificent views. Corrour station, where you can pop in for a pint, was a nice addition as well. All in all 11* in a range of 1-10 ??.Bartosz
16/05/22
Loch Ossian has been on my to do list.Such a spectacular setting, one of the most remote places to visit but the hospitality second to none.Liz
12/05/22
We enjoyed our stay in the Loch Ossian hostel, wonderful location and a good crowd staying there. warden and volunteers very helpful. Much more comfy than camping in such a remote locaion. Weather not too good, found some lower level walks to amuse ourselves rather than being gritblasted on the summitsJane
12/05/22
Great location and atmosphere in the hostelJohn Macdonald
10/05/22
Wonderful little oasis out on the moor.Just don't forget that it's not accessible by road, which for me is at least half the charm.Phil Tomlinson
09/05/22
Fantastic trip in every senseScottjbr
07/05/22
Right from the start Jan made us welcome, her energy and enthusiasm is infectious! She is a wonderful woman and couldn't have been anymore hospitable, made us really welcome and went out of her way to make sure we we comfy. The hostel is in a perfect location, we are bikepacking and had just come off the mor in wet and windy weather and we're lucky enough to be able to stay at loch Ossian hostel. The facilities are wonderful, the place really well ran and Jan makes the whole experience!Sian
01/05/22
This was an extra special stay for us as we invited our families to stay in the youth hostel before getting married in the area. It was a great way for the two families to get to know each other. The facilities were brilliant: hot showers, well-maintained compost toilets, crisp clean sheets and even some towels (for a small extra cost). Katrina was so lovely and helpful. It was a wonderful stay.H Parkes
30/04/22
Best location, fabulous views, friendly welcome, lovely log stoveWe really enjoyed our stayFiona
29/04/22
Superb location and great weather. Warden was very welcoming.Jim
29/04/22
A superb location with friendly welcoming hosts Jan & Katrina. Considering the remote location, the facilities are excellent and all is well maintained.Richard
26/04/22
Beautiful atmospheric location and amazing facilities (for such a remote location) make the Loch Ossian hostel a brilliant and accessible place to stay. We rented the entire hostel and it was perfect. The wardens were very friendly and helpful.Gill
19/04/22
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is a fantastic place to stay with friends and families - ideal for those wanting to climb their first munro, have a mini adventure with wee children or climb some hills. The loch is lovely to swim in - although fresh at this time of year!! The estate is gorgeous and the views are spectacular. It is such a bonus to have the Stationhouse up the road, to have dinner before jumping on the train home. I have no doubt that we will be back, and cannot recommend it enough.Nina
19/04/22
Cant compliment this hostel enough. Best I've stayed at and can't wait to return. Jan has done a fantastic job here. The fresh smell of flowers whan u walk in, the books, games and info. The birds and wildlife she attracts makes for a truly memorable stayMunro_bagger_mushy (insta account.)
16/04/22
Very friendly and welcoming staff; stunning location; difficult to suggest improvements - delighted with everything!Mike
14/04/22
Magical location, warm welcome, hostelling in Scotland at its bestSandy
10/04/22
I'd wanted to visit Loch Ossian hostel for years (since i was a summer warden in a wee hostel myself) and all expectations were met - warm friendly welcome from the warden, beautiful location, easy to access yet wild mountainous area, good facilities, comfy bed, excellent hot shower and eco composting loo - the environmental credentials of the place are excellent. Great to be able to dry things easily, decent sized fridge -and great atmosphere among folks. I will be back! Thank you Jan!Rachel-Clare
08/04/22
Amazing location, combined with a really welcoming, helpful and warm host. A very special hostel to visitTom Ballantine war
07/04/22
Fab experienceCarole
28/03/22
Perfect. Jan and Alec where stars??thank you??Angus Cartwright
21/03/22
Had a lovely stay at Loch Ossian, Jan was superb and a brilliant host. Great memories in a beautiful setting.Liam
20/03/22
Another great visit to Loch Ossian youth hostel (March 2022) , 3 night stay in a very special place ! Great views all around , friendly staff and good atmosphere with other guests in Hostel !Jonathan
18/03/22
I wanna back againC
08/03/22
Beautiful place, nice atmosphere, great company and Jan who looks after everything and everybody. Everything you need for a break!Leen H
07/03/22
Loch Ossian is a marvellous location. Picturesque location beside the loch, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and no cars, just Corrour station a mile away. Jan thank you for looking after us, we're already planning a return trip.Jonathan Kershaw
04/03/22
Fab stay. Jan was a wonderful host, who helped make the stay extra enjoyable. The location is gorgeous with plenty of outdoor adventuring opportunities to grab, with the added benefit of feeling environmentally friendly. Definitely recommend!Georgia H
01/03/22
One of the best hostels in Scotland. Cosy, warm and full of atmosphere. The location is stunning and makes the walk in from the station worth the effort to get to a place that just feels 'special'. The warden, Jan, could not do enough for us and made us feel so welcome. The accommodation is brillaint with lots of hot water, great showers and a stunning log burning stove. A unique place all round.Duncan Tannahill
25/02/22
Jan the perfect host , very helpful , responsive , kind and informative. We highly recommend her and the hostelTony Pierre
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.
