Braemar
About About this youth hostel
An impressive former shooting lodge, Braemar Youth Hostel sits in extensive grounds in the heart of Cairngorms National Park and is a great base for exploring Royal Deeside with its many castles and distilleries, including Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s Scottish home. Sitting on the ‘Snow Road’, the hostel is the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts and is within easy reach of the Cairngorms and the ski centres at Glenshee and the Lecht.
The hostel boasts many traditional features and offers guests a range of comfortable private rooms and shared dorm accommodation. None of the rooms are en-suite but ample shower and washroom facilities are available. Other facilities include free WiFi, a bright comfortable lounge, a drying room, laundry free onsite parking and secure bike storage with the facility to charge e-bikes.
Braemar is a dog-friendly hostel. If you would like to book yourself and your dog into the hostel, please phone the hostel direct on: +44 (0) 1339 741 659 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ available (please remember to pre-book).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Great location
- Friendly staff with expert local knowledge
- Local shops and restaurants within walking distance
- Licensed, serving local beers and wine
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Braemar Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
Season: Open all year
Reception Hours
Reception Hours: Sunday to Thursday 07:00-10:00 & 17:00-21:30, Friday and Saturday 07:00-10:00 & 17:00-22:00
Check in
Check in: 17:00 - 21:30
Check out
Check out: 08.00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Access hours: Late arrival and access outside opening hours by pre-arrangement only
Amenities
Bike Store
Free Wifi
Free Parking (limited on-site) p
Drying Room
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Alcohol Licence
Laundry Room
Guest Kitchen
Pet Dogs Welcome
Private Rooms
Suitable for Groups
Shopping Nearby
Towel Hire
Family Rooms
Lounge Area
Guest Reviews
10/06/2025
Great value for money and friendly service.Luke
09/06/2025
Good value for money, Okay for a night's stay,Andreas
09/06/2025
Had a brilliant stay in the Braemar hostel. The staff was extremely helpful and hostel was lovely.Yes
08/06/2025
Great place to stay. Just be mindful of stairsKim
05/06/2025
The lounge is really comfortable, nice rooms and kitchen area is great too.Jenny
29/05/2025
5 Stars.W Wright.
26/05/2025
Great location with lots to do in the area. Very comfortable hostel and we were very lucky to be there at the same time as many great guests - a really good atmosphere throughout our stay. Next time I go, I'm going to take a little oil for the door-closures - which are quite fierce!Richard Macgowan.
19/05/2025
Perfect pre adventure base.Yes
16/05/2025
Fantastic for walking climbing and cycling around the area.Bill
15/05/2025
We were only in the hostel for less than 12 hours but it had everything we needed and expected and was a welcome sight after a long day walking. Staff were great, the shower was warm and powerful and the place was clean.John McCallum
13/05/2025
Great location, cosy living room and large kitchen, comfy private bedroom, this hostel is a perfect spot to hike in the Cairngorms !Manon
13/05/2025
I enjoyed my 5 nights in the hostel in a private room; the room itself was very comfortable, clean and fresh with a double bed. The hostel itself is well facilitated with modern kitchen facilities and comfortable dining area. There is a good laundry and drying facility. I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. I opted for the 'wee breakfast' every morning which was very good and very adequate. Would defiantly stay again in the future.Andy Wheatstone
13/05/2025
Excellent location, staff & facilitiesGraeme G
13/05/2025
ExcellentAngela Holland
10/05/2025
Friendly staff, facilities better than expected, can't go wrong for the priceDan
08/05/2025
Amazing place, very quietMark
06/05/2025
Welcoming staff, very friendly with a smile on their faces. All facilities perfect ??Jim
05/05/2025
Brilliant hostel with modern facilities located in the centre of Braemar in the Cairngorms NP.Paul from Glasgow
01/05/2025
Really enjoyed staying here and would defo returnMick Doyle
28/04/2025
Superb please hold on to hostels out of major citiesAlexandra Littlejohn
23/04/2025
Really enjoyed the newly-refurbished hostel and the diversity of the many people using it. It's an absolute must as a location for many of the Munros and other hills of the Cairngorms. Please can you put a container of table salt in the free food section in the kitchen? I don't travel with salt as I rely on it being available (a small pinch when cooking is all that is required) - I wasn't the only one who was seeking this as porridge without salt is not so tasty!Mumbles Head
19/04/2025
The recent renovations are beautiful and the whole hostel is fabulous. Kitchen is well stocked and the dining room and lounge were spacious and comfortable. The whole place was spotless.Weesiecodal
19/04/2025
A beautifully renovated hostel in a stunning location. Comfortable and spotlessly clean - will definitely be back!Brendan
18/04/2025
Great location. Helpful and friendly warden. Very comfortable and welcoming hostelSimon W
14/04/2025
We loved our stay, even if it was only for two days. The staff was helpful and friendly. The kitchen was very clean and easy to use.Jef
13/04/2025
Lovely old building which was very clean and well equipped. Friendly staff. Only negative was the slamming doors that continued until nearly midnight.LeeBee
12/04/2025
Clean and tidy with spacious room and kitchen.Jobin
12/04/2025
I can't wait to stay for my next trip to the hills - so nice to have affordable, clean and safe accommodation that is also in beautiful surrounds and filled with friendly people!Yes
11/04/2025
I love the luxury of this Victorian villa.Miriam
09/04/2025
Relaxing, friendly, enjoyable.Alison
Reasons to visit
Surrounded by the Grampian Mountains, Braemar is the ideal base for exploring Royal Deeside and the mighty Cairngorms. Balmoral Castle, the Queen's Scottish home, is nearby (open between April-July) and there are a host of distilleries for whisky enthusiasts to explore.
The village sits on 'The Snow Road', a 90-mile journey which takes you from the picturesque market town of Blairgowrie to the traditional Highland town of Grantown-on-Spey. The route traverses the highest public road in Britain through some of the most impressive landscapes in the eastern Cairngorms, linking the communities of Braemar, Ballater and Tomintoul.
With no less than 24 Munros within easy reach it's no wonder the area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts. It's also a perfect base for winter sports, as Glenshee is just eight miles to the south and the Lecht is to the north.
This ancient village is also home to the world famous annual Braemar Gathering and Highland Games. Held on the first Saturday in September, the event is regularly attended by the Royal Family and features the best pipe bands, pipers, Highland dancers and athletes.