Hostelling Scotland, the 91-year-old, not for profit, self-funded charity, is delighted to announce that its network of 29 VisitScotland quality assured Youth Hostels is now fully opened for the first time in more than two years.
From cities to islands, beaches to hills and mountains, and all points in between, the Youth Hostels will once again offer a warm welcome, flexible and affordable accommodation, providing a great base for individuals and groups looking to explore and enjoy all that Scotland has to offer.
Hostelling Scotland is very encouraged by the confidence already being shown by guests keen to get back to the full hostelling experience they all know and love. Bookings across the network, in particular those on the NC500 route and Skye, are averaging 50% occupancy in April, and the award-winning, remote and eco-friendly Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is proving very popular with people grabbing the chance to ‘get away from it all’ in the beautiful surroundings of Rannoch Moor.
This promising trend in bookings across the network is showing early signs of continuing into the summer months. Destinations such as the Islands, Glen Nevis, Oban, Achmelvich and Torridon are again proving a popular choice for young travellers, couples and families keen to make full use of the shared public spaces, private rooms or shared dorm accommodation, and popular facilities such as the self-catering kitchens. Demand is also rising in city youth hostels as group travel starts to return, while an increase in the number of ‘dog-friendly’ WoofHostels and the option for exclusive private hire (RentaHostel) offer alternative accommodation opportunities and extend the appeal of hostelling to a much broader audience.
Hostelling Scotland CEO, Margo Paterson said: The last couple of years will long be remembered as the most difficult in our history. As Chief Executive of this wonderful and much-loved organisation, I’m very proud of all the hard work and dedication shown by our teams and grateful for the kind support and generosity shown by everyone. We’re delighted that guests can once more enjoy the social aspects that sit at the heart of hostelling; cooking up a storm in our self-catering kitchens, enjoying a glass of wine or a local beer with friends and a good night’s sleep in a private en-suite room, or a bed in a shared dorm.
Hostelling Scotland prides itself on being the largest participant in the youth hostel market in Scotland. As a membership organisation with over 8,000-lifetime members, it has 29 youth hostels and 26 affiliate hostels. In recent years (pre-Covid-19 pandemic) the network has welcomed up to 380,000 guests annually with a turnover of £9M and an estimated annual contribution to the Scottish visitor economy of £25M.
Hostelling Scotland’s network of Youth Hostels and affiliate hostels offers guests the freedom to explore Scotland and their love of travel, discovering places of historic and cultural interest, enjoying its stunning countryside, environment and natural heritage, creating memories to last a lifetime. Their unique sites provide affordable, comfortable, and safe accommodation with a warm friendly welcome and local knowledge for guests travelling around the country.
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Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] | M: 07913 951717
Images:
Free use images attached.
For more Hostelling Scotland images go to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v9pia5kd3gz5zzq/AACXXNpDGmcNqygqVXA9-APxa?dl=0
Notes to Editors:
Hostelling Scotland
Useful links:
Hostelling Scotland – https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk
Hostelling Scotland on Twitter – https://twitter.com/hostellingscot #ourplaceisyours
Hostelling Scotland on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hostellingscotland
Hostelling Scotland on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hostellingscotland
Hostelling Scotland on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/hostellingscotland/
Hostelling Scotland is a self-funding charity operating a network of nearly 60 exceptional Youth and affiliate hostels for the benefit of all those wishing to learn and experience what Scotland has to offer. Their unique sites provide affordable, comfortable, safe and quality-assured accommodation with a warm friendly welcome, local knowledge, activities and services for guests travelling around Scotland.
Since 1931, the organisation’s mission has been to make Scotland more accessible to more people than anyone else; especially young people, providing great value, flexible and welcoming accommodation in the best locations. With the pandemic still weighing heavy, this mission is as relevant today as it was then.
Following a strategic review of the organisation, early in 2018, the much-loved hostelling accommodation provider changed its name from the Scottish Youth Hostels Association to Hostelling Scotland. The new identity follows extensive marketing research and reflects the organisation’s commitment to understanding the needs of its members, guests and employees as the modern face of Scottish Hostelling. The name also more clearly indicates its representation of Hostelling International within Scotland.
Both the changes in trading name and logo highlight a commitment to ensuring Scotland’s leading hostelling organisation remains relevant in the modern context.
