Hostelling Scotland is delighted to announce the completion of their £900K refurbishment works to Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel, one of the network’s flagship hostels, set in an idyllic location on the banks of Loch Lomond. Aimed at improving the hostelling experience for guests, the five-month project has transformed the flow of the ground floor and developed core hostel facilities throughout, while ensuring the character and panoramic lochside views that make this such a popular hostel are retained.

First opened in 1950, Rowardennan has long been a favourite with hostellers. The hostel now offers a wide range of comfortable accommodation from a range of private rooms to shared dormitories and RentaHostel (exclusive private hire), making it a great year-round destination for individuals, families, groups and walkers tackling the famous West Highland Way. It is also one of 17 WoofHostels, dog-friendly Youth Hostels, across the network.

Starting in early 2023, the work was carried out in two stages. Phase one saw upgrades to the washroom facilities on the upper level, while phase two which started in early January 2024 has seen the extensive remodelling of the ground floor, introducing a large open plan reception, new drying room and laundry facilities as well as upgraded catering and self-catering kitchens. The private rooms and shared dorm accommodation have been re-decorated, with wifi coverage throughout the hostel boosted to meet the changing needs of their guests.

Hostelling Scotland Chief Executive, Margo Paterson, said:  “Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel has long been a jewel in the Hostelling Scotland crown and a real favourite with hostellers. We pride ourselves in the provision of excellent customer service, listening to our guests, understanding their changing needs and developing our network to offer the best possible hostelling experience. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to making more of Scotland, more accessible to more people through the provision of affordable and welcoming accommodation in some of the finest locations Scotland has to offer.”

Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel will reopen on 01 June 2024 and is open for year-round bookings.

The Rowardennan refurbishment project is part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to a programme of continual improvement and modernisation to the network, offering sustainable, contemporary, spacious and comfortable, high-quality, affordable accommodation that meets the needs of today’s hostellers. 

It follows upgrade projects at Edinburgh Central, Glen Nevis, Inverness and Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostels.  Ongoing projects include refurbishment works at Braemar Youth Hostel, scheduled to be completed by the 01July 2024, and upgrades to the toilet facilities at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel and to the washroom facilities at Kirkwall Youth Hostel.

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Notes to Editors:

Since 1931 Hostelling Scotland has provided a warm welcome and affordable, comfortable, safe and quality-assured accommodation to their guests, offering a great base for individuals, families 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.

A membership organisation with over 8,000 lifetime members, it has 29 youth hostels and 24 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. 

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 their ethos. Through these programmes, along with key strategic partnerships, they support a diverse range of groups, families 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.

Both the changes in trading name and logo highlight a commitment to ensuring Scotland’s leading hostelling organisation remains relevant in the modern context.

Useful links:

Hostelling Scotland website – https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk

Hostelling Scotland on X – https://twitter.com/hostellingscot

Hostelling Scotland on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hostellingscotland

Hostelling Scotland on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hostellingscotland

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

Hostelling Scotland on TikTok –  https://www.tiktok.com/@hostellingscotland

Hostelling Scotland on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/hostellingscotland/