Start 2023 with a new and exciting adventure!

Hostelling Scotland, the not-for-profit, self-funded charity, who operates a network of nearly 60 exceptional quality-assured youth and affiliate hostels throughout Scotland, and facilitates a number of youth and community initiatives, is on the lookout for new members to join its Board of Trustees.

The organisation is very keen to receive applications from as wide a range of talented people as possible irrespective of their religion or belief, gender, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, political belief, relationship status or caring responsibilities.

With the challenging economic climate Hostelling Scotland would love to hear from applicants with skills and experience in managing operational change, charity/corporate governance, law, risk management, and youth travel and hospitality.

Margo Paterson, CEO of Hostelling Scotland, said: “Hostelling Scotland is open to all. We are committed to inclusion and diversity and we want our Board of Trustees to be representative of the wide range of talented people we have in the communities we serve throughout Scotland.

 “We value greatly the benefits of having different points of view and experiences on our Board.  We particularly welcome applications from first-time Trustees and highly motivated individuals across all age groups and backgrounds, with a wide range of skills and experiences, and the capacity and commitment to grow into the role.”

“If you are looking for a new and exciting adventure and keen to do something great.  If you believe you have the enthusiasm and drive to help shape the future of hostelling in Scotland, we would love to hear from you.”

To express an interest and receive a nomination pack and application form, please email [email protected]. 

Please note: a formal nomination form is required to be completed by 10 March 2023.

Ends

Images of a number of Youth Hostels within the Hostelling Scotland network, and of Margo Paterson, CEO of Hostelling Scotland, can be downloaded from Dropbox –  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0fsrs95zgjnx64saxp2u1/h?dl=0&rlkey=omfdvz7zsyyejiscfbe4za7gd

Notes to Editors:

Since 1931 Hostelling Scotland has provided a warm welcome and affordable, comfortable, safe and quality-assured accommodation to their guests, providing a great base for individuals and groups looking to explore and enjoy all that Scotland has to offer. The charity 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 33 youth hostels and 27 affiliate hostels.  In recent years 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. 

The Covid-19 pandemic hit the organisation incredibly hard, the worst crisis it has faced since it was established in 1931.  An 89% drop in annual operational income resulted in a massive swing from a £1.4M operational surplus in 2019 to a £2M operational loss in 2020.

As a charity committed to ensuring that everyone can learn and experience what Scotland has to offer, Hostelling Scotland’s youth and community programmes are an important part of its ethos. Through these programmes, which are ready to start up again after an enforced Covid-19 hiatus, they support a diverse range of groups and individuals, helping them explore Scotland and experience hostelling.

Following a strategic review of the organisation, early in 2018, the much-loved hostelling accommodation provider is now known as Hostelling Scotland. The new identity follows on from 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.

Hostelling Scotland is planning to re-launch youth and community programmes later in the year for 2024 breaks.

Useful links:

Hostelling Scotland website – 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 on You Tube – https://www.youtube.com/@syhahostelling/videos