About Hostel Standards
Introduction
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For those travelling on a tight budget, there is a large network of hostels offering cheap accommodation. These are also popular centres for backpackers and provide a great opportunity for meeting fellow travellers. Hostels have kitchen facilities for self-catering, and some include a continental breakfast in the price or provide cheap breakfasts and evening meals. Advance booking is recommended at all times, and particularly from May to September and on public holidays, and a credit card is often useful.
Scottish Youth Hostel Association
The SYHA is separate from the YHA in England and Wales. It has a network of over 80 hostels which are often better and cheaper than those in other countries. They offer bunk-bed accommodation in single-sex dormitories or smaller rooms, kitchen and laundry facilities. Prices range from £6-8 for the cheapest up to £11-13 for for the most expensive. Prices are cheaper for juniors (under 18s). Those in large towns and cities and main tourist centres are more expensive. The average cost is £8-10 per person per night. Though some rural hostels are still strict on discipline and impose a 2300 curfew, those in larger towns and cities tend to be more relaxed and doors are closed as late as 0200. Some larger hostels provide breakfasts for around £2.50 and three-course evening meals for around £4-5.
The SYHA produces a handbook (free with membership) giving details of all their youth hostels, including transport links. This can be useful as some hostels are difficult to get to without your own transport. You should always phone ahead, as many hostels are closed during the day. Phone numbers are listed in this guide. Many hostels are closed during the winter. Details are given in the SYHA Handbook. For Scottish residents, adult membership costs £6, and can be obtained at the SYHA National Office (see box for address), or at the first SYHA hostel you stay at. SYHA membership gives automatic membership of Hostelling International (HI). Youth hostel members are entitled to half-price entry to all National Trust for Scotland properties. The SYHA also offers an Explore Scotland and Scottish Wayfarer ticket, which can save a lot of money on transport and accommodation, especially if you're not a student.
Independent hostels
The Independent Backpackers Hostels of Scotland is an association of nearly 100 independent hostels/bunkhouses throughout Scotland. They charge between £6 and £15 per person per night, though the average is around £8-10. They tend to be more laid-back, with fewer rules and no curfew, and no membership is required. They all have dormitories, hot showers and self-catering kitchens. Some include continental breakfast, or provide cheap breakfasts. All these hostels are listed in the Independent Hostel Guide, which is available from tourist offices, or send an A5 SAE to: Pete Thomas, Croft Bunkhouse & Bothies, Portnalong, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SL. They also have a website, Independant Hostel Guide