Happy Hosteller Funded Breaks

Happy Hosteller is a funded residentials programme, supported by memberships and donations, helping more people experience a stay in our Youth Hostels.

Over the past decade, we’ve proudly funded more than 200 residential trips, giving 6,000+ young people and families the chance to explore Scotland and make lasting memories.

Guided by our core values of promoting inclusion, education, wellbeing, and care for the environment, we’re pleased to offer funding across the following categories:

• Nature and the Environment:
  Exploring Scotland’s natural landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems.

• Culture and Historic Heritage:
  Discovering the Scottish stories and cultural gems.

• Wellness and Play:
  Engaging in physical and fun activities that promote health and self-discovery.
  

• Schools, Early Years Centres, Youth Groups and Registered charities in Scotland working with disadvantaged young people and families. Families cannot apply individually.
  
• The age range for youth groups is 6 to 25 years.
• Early Years Centre and Family Groups can include children under 6 years old if the parents/guardians are included.

For more information on Happy Hosteller breaks: 

Download our application guidance notes

Download useful information for groups.

We are here to help every step of the way! If you need any assistance, please contact us directly

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Applications for our Happy Hosteller Breaks are open from 30 April 2026.

Apply Now!

Closing date for applications: 26 June 2026

In 2025/26, we have funded 28 breaks, supporting 616 people from communities across Scotland.

The groups include charities, youth organisations and schools that create a unique opportunity for young people and families to explore new places together, often through their first ever residential experience.

Participants have designed their own programme of activities with support from our teams, helping every group make the most of their time with us.

We’re grateful to all participants for sharing their adventures and experiences, helping us better understand the social impact of the programme. Group leaders also worked closely with us to evaluate their hostelling experience, reporting positive impacts on widening participants’ horizons beyond their own communities, building relationships with others, and supporting personal development and wellbeing.

What was your favourite moment?

'The moment we arrived and saw this beautiful view. Time, I spent playing boardgames with friends.'

'We got to know more people from different communities.'

'I was climbing on trees with a harness on, I can’t believe I did this. I’m so proud of myself.'

'Engaging with other guests.'

Did you learn something new during your break? 

'When you are up the top of hills it’s colder'

'Ice skating was a fear… but when I realized no one is good at it, and we all worked together to stay up, I love it.'

'How to make my bed'

'That there are wonderful people in this world.'

'How to butter my toast '

'All were on their first residential trip since coming to Scotland as refugees, none of the group had been to this part of Scotland before. Even on the bus there and back, they were seeing the Scottish mountainous landscapes for the first time.'

'Some real leadership came out in cooking our evening meals with some key members organising or leading by example. Many young people took on tasks that they would have otherwise shyed away from thus leading to the sense of accomplishment. (Anything from being scared of heights but being supported onto the chairlift to cutting up vegetables.) The atmosphere around the fire on the final evening reflected a group that had bonded through appropriate challenge and support from each other and staff involved.'

'Many of the girls told us at the end of the trip that they felt peaceful. One young person spoke about seeing lots of birds on her trip, and how she "feels like a bird, free, flying in the sky'.

'The best part was seeing the group make friends, and hang out together and just have fun. At one point some of the young people were having so much playing cards that a couple literally rolled on the floor in fits of laughter and knocked a lamp over. Knowing that these same young people have had a really hard time and have been feeling very low before the trip, and then seeing them just get to be themselves and have fun, was a really beautiful moment.'

'It was enjoying the beautiful lounge area provided, having children playing games together while parents were able to spend time, having conversation, experiencing peer support and genuine downtime.'