Ratagan Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
Unfortunately due to social distancing restrictions we are unable to open our self-catering kitchens for the time being. We will continuously review this and open these facilities as soon as we can do so safely. For more information on what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ's section of this website.
As you’ll appreciate, advice on Covid-19 is constantly changing and we would ask all guests to refer to Scottish Government guidelines and Transport Scotland advice on travel and social distancing before making their booking.
Small and intimate, Ratagan Youth Hostel is has a stunning lochside location with enviable views towards Skye.
Perfect for groups, families and individual travellers, this warm and welcoming hostel offers guests a variety of room types, all with USB charging points, and all able to be booked as private rooms.
The accommodation is split over two floors and none of the rooms are en-suite, but ample shower and washroom facilities are available.
Guests can opt for continental breakfast served in the large dining room (please remember to pre-book), or take advantage of the well-equipped self-catering kitchen. Relax with a local craft beer or glass of wine in the hostel’s comfortable lounge, while enjoying stunning views over the Five Sisters of Kintail.
WiFi access is free for all guests and other facilities include a laundry, drying room, luggage store and secure bike shed. Basic provisions, including frozen ready meals, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.
Although surrounded by mountains, lochs and forests, the hostel is just off the main road, with a bus stop only 1.5 miles away making it easily accessible by public transport. Free parking is available onsite.
Ratagan is a popular choice with outdoor enthusiasts and there are a number of low-level scrambles and ridge walks within easy reach of the hostel. The garden is ideal for launching kayaks for a paddle in Loch Duich, home to porpoises, otters and seals. World famous Eilean Donan Castle is only eight miles away.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
Friendly and informative staff
Fabulous loch side location with stunning views
Great base for hill walking
Secure lockers and bike store
Private rooms available
Ratagan Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April to early October (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
08:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
08:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Late arrival and access outside opening hours is available by prior arrangement
Amenities
Free Wifi
Private Rooms
Family Rooms
Catering
Lounge Area
Alcohol Licence
Laundry Room
Drying Room
Secure Lockers
Bike Store
Access with limited mobility
Suitable for wheelchair users with assistance
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Guest Reviews
18/11/19
Fantastic hostel. Stunning location. Great facilities. Friendly staffTheresa Mcintyre
02/10/19
Excellent base for hill walking in Kintail. Comfortable bed with supplied linen, great, hot shower and excellent kitchen with all the utensils you need to prepare a meal. Large dining room outside kitchen to have your meals and very comfy lounge with free wi-fi to chat with other guests. To top it off, great views across loch Duich. What more do you need?Jim McK
30/09/19
Arran the warden is brilliant, all the other guests were friendly, and the setting is phenomenal. Also the showers are hot and have decent water pressure.Lieslotte
30/09/19
Fabulous hostel very cosy clean well equipped and location is AMAZING! Swimming in loch first thing in morning just wandered across the hostel lawn and straight in! Wish we could have stayed longer.Karina
26/09/19
Have stayed at this hostel before and it does what it says on the tin !I'll never tire of that view across to the Five Sisters as the sun sets.It is in a stunning location, is run efficiently and flexibly, and has always been a pleasure to stay.Staff extremely helpful.Gordon Ballantyne
25/09/19
Superb hostel. Great location. Clean and well organised. Great service from the staff. Nice rooms.A credit to the SYHA.Ruben
24/09/19
Clean facilities with a well equipped kitchen. Drying room worked a treat and seating area was comfy.Jan
09/09/19
Reception staff were particularly accommodating to us arriving in the small hours and helped us out. Hostel is under 2 hours from Inverness airport by car and is a great starting point for an adventure to Skye. Cosy lounge, large dining area and clean bedrrooms.munro_wanderer
07/09/19
Excellent service, could have more toilets, showers for females. Great location and friendly staff/fellow lodgersMairi
26/08/19
A beautiful place to stay with a stunning view.Annica
24/08/19
Welcoming staff, comfortable wait out of the rain before check in time, large lounge and dining area, lovely garden, fantastic views. All-round great experience.JO
20/08/19
Hidden gem located on the banks of Loch Duich. Peaceful and quiet, and complemented by really friendly staff. A little piece of perfect for a while.Yes
16/08/19
Excellent in all respects.Jim Imber
16/08/19
The hostel had the pefect location for our stay, we really loved it and wished to have stayed longer. It is a good starting point for hikes, wildlife, and so on. We would also recommend the pubs in the area. :)Yes
14/08/19
Not to be faulted as a smaller youth hostel, friendly and beautiful location.Tony
05/08/19
Friendly and helpful wardenLovely YH - very handy for all the munros in that locationGreat views from the gardenDW
04/08/19
A fabulous first stay at Ratagan hostel. Such a beautiful lochside location with stunning views of the Sisters of Kintail - a perfect, peaceful way to start and end each day, whether before/after a long walk up some of the many nearby Munros or exploring the extraordinary coves and beaches.Justin
04/08/19
Welcoming people and peaceful placeAurore
04/08/19
Fantastic hostel. Location is excellent. Self catering area and lounge good. My only criticism is the number of cob webs and spiders which could have been removed very easily. This sadly gave my children the impression there were spiders everywhere which detracted from their stay. Apart from that small issue this is a great hostel for a stay.Mr Martin
30/07/19
Ratagan has a location to die for. I discovered it on my way back from the Western Isles, as it's a short walk from the Sheil Bridge bus stop when you take the City Link to Glasgow. On the peaceful side of the Loch, with stunning views of the Five Sisters of Kintail, it is truly spectacular. I saw otters and porpoises.Rachel from Winchester
29/07/19
Excellent location close to the mountains, comfortable and great valueJill
29/07/19
A fabulous and relaxing location. Ideally situated for our plans. Good facilities - well maintained.No
28/07/19
Nice youth hostel in a pleasant placeok to publish
27/07/19
Perfect place to stay for many beautiful hills around and for the way further up north or to SkyeAndres
10/07/19
Lovely hostel.One of my favourite hostels.Hard to improve on perfection.Looking forward to returning in 2020Old Rambler
08/07/19
First time I've stayed at this hostel, great location and hostel is lovely. Thanks to Arran who sorted out an issue with my booking. Shall be back to get more walking done in area.Fiona
08/07/19
Thank you for your services, location is perfect after a day of hiking and brilliant value for money. Guy at reception was kind enough to call as I arrived nearer 9pm. Friendly staff and comforting atmosphere. Thank youNeil Paterson
30/06/19
This hostel is just what we like, in the right place for walking mountains in Scotland and full of like minded people.Bob Evans
30/06/19
Typically very freindly and helpful staff. Great scenery although I was spoiled as the weather was superb. Well equipped kitchen and typical mix of people. I only stayed the one night at Ratagan so not there for too long but I would definitely recommend it.Tom
As you’ll appreciate, advice on Covid-19 is constantly changing and we would ask all guests to refer to Scottish Government guidelines and Transport Scotland advice on travel and social distancing before making their booking.
Small and intimate, Ratagan Youth Hostel is has a stunning lochside location with enviable views towards Skye.
Perfect for groups, families and individual travellers, this warm and welcoming hostel offers guests a variety of room types, all with USB charging points, and all able to be booked as private rooms.
The accommodation is split over two floors and none of the rooms are en-suite, but ample shower and washroom facilities are available.
Guests can opt for continental breakfast served in the large dining room (please remember to pre-book), or take advantage of the well-equipped self-catering kitchen. Relax with a local craft beer or glass of wine in the hostel’s comfortable lounge, while enjoying stunning views over the Five Sisters of Kintail.
WiFi access is free for all guests and other facilities include a laundry, drying room, luggage store and secure bike shed. Basic provisions, including frozen ready meals, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.
Although surrounded by mountains, lochs and forests, the hostel is just off the main road, with a bus stop only 1.5 miles away making it easily accessible by public transport. Free parking is available onsite.
Ratagan is a popular choice with outdoor enthusiasts and there are a number of low-level scrambles and ridge walks within easy reach of the hostel. The garden is ideal for launching kayaks for a paddle in Loch Duich, home to porpoises, otters and seals. World famous Eilean Donan Castle is only eight miles away.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
Friendly and informative staff
Fabulous loch side location with stunning views
Great base for hill walking
Secure lockers and bike store
Private rooms available
">Reasons to visit
Ratagan Youth Hostel enjoys a stunning loch-side location and boasts an amazing view of the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range from its sitting room.
Popular with cyclists, the Mam Ratagan Pass is a scenic hill road to Glenelg where you can catch the historic turntable ferry to Skye. This fabulous little ferry is one of a kind and simply the best way to travel to Skye. The short crossing provides magnificent views and the enthusiastic crew are always happy to tell you about the local wildlife, scenery and the ferry's history.
Low level scrambles and ridge walks are all within easy reach of the hostel and the garden is ideal for launching kayaks where you can take to the water to explore famous local landmarks such as Eilean Donan Castle.
There are plenty of Munros to tackle in the local area and The Falls of Glomach, one of the highest and most remote waterfalls in Britain, is within easy reach.
For wildlife enthusiasts, otters, seals and porpoises can often be seen from the garden and deer roam the surrounding hillsides.
Charter a fishing boat or let someone else do the hard work while you kick back and enjoy some fresh local shellfish at the Glenelg Inn or Sheena's famous tea hut.
