Ratagan
About About this youth hostel
Small and intimate, Ratagan Youth Hostel enjoys a stunning lochside location with views over the Five Sisters of Kintail. This warm and welcoming hostel offers a range of accommodation from private rooms to shared dorms all with USB charging points. The accommodation is split over two floors and none of the rooms are en-suite, but there are ample shower and washroom facilities available.
WiFi access is free for all guests and other facilities include: a large well-equipped self-catering kitchen, a comfortable lounge with views over the Five Sisters of Kintail, 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.
The hostel is surrounded by mountains, lochs and forests, but sits close to a 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 dog-friendly hostel. If you would like to book yourself and your dog into the hostel, please phone the hostel direct on: +44 (0) 1599 511 243 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ and 'Heat it and eat it' evening meals available (Please remember to pre-book your breakfast).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Lochside location with magnificent views
- World famous Eilean Donan Castle eight miles away
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Perfect base for hillwalking and kayaking
- Dog friendly
- Licensed, serving local beers and wine
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
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
Family Rooms
Lounge Area
Drying Room
Bike Store
Suitable for wheelchair users with assistance
Pet Dogs Welcome
Private Rooms
Catering
Laundry Room
Secure Lockers
Access with limited mobility
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Guest Reviews
23/04/2025
Amazing view, nice helpful staff and nice roomsPatric
23/04/2025
Amazing view, nice helpful staff and nice roomsPatric
23/04/2025
Amazing view, nice helpful staff and nice roomsPatric
22/04/2025
A great 4 night stay with exceptional facilitation by the two team members who manage the guests experience at this really lovely, immaculately clean and comfortable hostel. Fantastic facilities within the hostel itself and very well looked after.Keith E
22/04/2025
A great 4 night stay with exceptional facilitation by the two team members who manage the guests experience at this really lovely, immaculately clean and comfortable hostel. Fantastic facilities within the hostel itself and very well looked after.Keith E
22/04/2025
Great value for money, superb location and great facilities, especially the drying room and kitchen. It is really the hosts who create a lovely atmosphere who contribute the most to this youth hostel and they were magic. Thank you very much indeed. We'll be back.Annie Dickinson
22/04/2025
Great value for money, superb location and great facilities, especially the drying room and kitchen. It is really the hosts who create a lovely atmosphere who contribute the most to this youth hostel and they were magic. Thank you very much indeed. We'll be back.Annie Dickinson
22/04/2025
Scotlands nature and hospitality pure.Margit
22/04/2025
Scotlands nature and hospitality pure.Margit
21/04/2025
Beautiful location, but a long walk from the bus stop. Nice clean hostel with a very cozy atmosphere, I would definitely return here!Jildou
21/04/2025
Beautiful location, but a long walk from the bus stop. Nice clean hostel with a very cozy atmosphere, I would definitely return here!Jildou
21/04/2025
Beautiful location, but a long walk from the bus stop. Nice clean hostel with a very cozy atmosphere, I would definitely return here!Jildou
14/04/2025
Excellent hostel in an amazing locationPeter
14/04/2025
Excellent hostel in an amazing locationPeter
13/04/2025
Nice little youth hostel located not far off the road to the Isle of Skye in a quiet little village. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Well equipped kitchen for preparing your own meal.Jo
13/04/2025
Nice little youth hostel located not far off the road to the Isle of Skye in a quiet little village. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Well equipped kitchen for preparing your own meal.Jo
13/04/2025
Friendly staff, clean and well equipped. Great locationSam
13/04/2025
Friendly staff, clean and well equipped. Great locationSam
11/04/2025
Great location, splendid facilities, red hot spotless showers, and extra-wide comfortable bunks! Really friendly helpful wardens too - this is a great hostel.Davem220
11/04/2025
Great location, splendid facilities, red hot spotless showers, and extra-wide comfortable bunks! Really friendly helpful wardens too - this is a great hostel.Davem220
11/04/2025
Amazing location, great facilities, engaged and friendly staff.Will
11/04/2025
Amazing location, great facilities, engaged and friendly staff.Will
11/04/2025
Great stay!Kind and effective warden…. Wonderful setting… Comfy lounge with books, games and maps… Will come again anytime!Suzanne
11/04/2025
Great stay!Kind and effective warden…. Wonderful setting… Comfy lounge with books, games and maps… Will come again anytime!Suzanne
11/04/2025
Great stay!Kind and effective warden…. Wonderful setting… Comfy lounge with books, games and maps… Will come again anytime!Suzanne
10/04/2025
We stayed here for one night either side of a 2night hike and stay at Glen Affric SYHA after a long drive up from Cambridge. A perfect place beside the loch with stunning views of the mountains in the glens. Sleeping was difficult in the 2nd night in a full dorm if snoring, coughing men, tossing and turning and then getting up from 4:30am onwards - it would've been nice to spread us across the dorms and put the early risers somewhere else. Otherwise a brilliant and memorable stay.Mad Dave
10/04/2025
We stayed here for one night either side of a 2night hike and stay at Glen Affric SYHA after a long drive up from Cambridge. A perfect place beside the loch with stunning views of the mountains in the glens. Sleeping was difficult in the 2nd night in a full dorm if snoring, coughing men, tossing and turning and then getting up from 4:30am onwards - it would've been nice to spread us across the dorms and put the early risers somewhere else. Otherwise a brilliant and memorable stay.Mad Dave
09/04/2025
Stunning location. Superb hostel hosts. Thank you.BC
09/04/2025
Stunning location. Superb hostel hosts. Thank you.BC
09/04/2025
Stunning location. Superb hostel hosts. Thank you.BC
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.