Celebrate

Celebrate! 90 Years of Hostelling in Scotland

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 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

90 Years of Hostelling in Scotland

done across Scotland since they were first established here in 1931, providing affordable accommodation in some of the country’s finest locations for people with an adventurous spirit. Ninety years ago, there was a clamour for people to escape the cities at the weekend and visit parts of the countryside that had previously been inaccessible to them. Today, we’re all desperate to leave the cities for very different reasons, as Covid has kept us all cooped up for far too long. After too much time indoors, this unprecedented era has brought home to me just how important it is to get

closer to nature and to be part of the natural world. Hostelling continues to provide more and more people with the opportunity to do just that, offering sustainable holidays closer to home - but with a whole world of adventure awaiting. There are so many places I’m still to explore all over Scotland and I can’t wait to get back out there and discover what else is close by in this awe-inspiring country of ours. Loch Ossian is high on my list, with Munros to climb, a fine loch to cycle or run around on good-quality vehicle tracks and an adventure just to get there – by train, foot or bike only. Hostels themselves have changed hugely over the 90 years of the organisation, too, with many remote hostels being eco-hostels and more than 90 per cent of all Hostelling Scotland hostels rated silver or above in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. While dormitory accommodation is still the mainstay, private rooms are widely available and provide a more relaxed setting for families and other small groups. These have really made it possible for us to take the children along to experience many different parts of Scotland over the years, while the fact that many hostels now sell local beer and other supplies mean I can still enjoy a quiet drink after a hectic day out!

Hostels such as Inverness and Edinburgh even have Innes and Gunn beer on tap, with other hostels offering craft beers, coffee and cake, and some even having a full catering service. A number of hostels have been modernised over the last few years, with Glen Nevis, Inverness, Edinburgh and Aberdeen benefitting from investment. But for me it’s the opportunities the more remote hostels provide to explore the wilds of Scotland that really capture the imagination. Wherever you stay, hostelling holidays are a social affair, with like-minded people – whether individuals, couples, groups or families - coming together under one roof to discover what is outside the doorstep. That chance to reconnect with people and with nature will be manna from heaven after a difficult year and more of coping with a world of Covid. I hope to see you out there – and in the hostels.