Celebrate! 90 Years of Hostelling
John Davidson reflects on our history and looks forward to our hostelling future
I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time during the various lockdowns and travel restrictions perusing places to visit in a whatever world emerges postpandemic. My kind of break is out in the wilds, escaping the throngs in any case, so while lockdown has not cramped my style too much in some ways, not being able to access some of the more distant parts of Scotland at times has been testing. I long for long days in the hills, stravaiging the high tops before returning
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to a comfortable, cosy spot to relax and unwind, and perhaps share tales of the day’s adventures. Hostelling has always played a part in that, from remote adventures in the likes of Glen Affric to more bustling accommodation such as Aviemore, always within reach of the mountains and with plenty of opportunities to get out and embrace the outdoors. There’s not quite as much relaxing on our hostelling holidays these days, with children in tow – but introducing them to such experiences opens up a whole new world of adventure for them. That’s exactly what youth hostels have