Glen Affric
About About this youth hostel
A former stalking bothy on the Affric Estate, this friendly eco-hostel is unique, remote and offers a warm welcome and an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland.
A wind turbine and solar panels provide warm water and electricity, while the comfortable common room and kitchen are heated by wood and coal fires.
The hostel has two private rooms, as well as comfortable dorm accommodation. Because of its remote location, provisions are limited and we ask guests to bring their own sleeping bags, torch, food, drink and appropriate clothing for the duration of their stay. There is a small hostel shop which sells soft drinks, juices, chocolate bars, healthy snacks, crisps and pouch meals.
There is no WiFi or mobile phone reception at the hostel.
The hostel is only accessible on foot or by mountain bike, so please plan ahead, take into consideration the weather conditions and allow plenty of time. Its unique location is the closest you’ll get to an alpine hut in Scotland and a great experience waits for anyone prepared to make the effort to visit.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Please check the availability calendar on this website before travelling to the hostel.
- Remember to be prepared - plan ahead, carefully decide the best route for you and always allow for the weather conditions.
- The hostel is situated on the Affric/Kintail Way, a long distance path which has occasional signposts. However, we recommend that you bring a good map, a compass and torch, along with appropriate clothing for often very changeable weather conditions.
- There is no refuse collection at the hostel, so anything you bring with you will need to leave with you!
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- One of a kind!
- Remote mountain location with stunning views
- Warm welcome and fantastic hospitality
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Glen Affric Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April to September
Reception Hours
07:00 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
07:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Our porch is available for shelter outside opening hours
Amenities
Private Rooms
Drying Room
Guest Reviews
04/06/2025
We had a fabulous weekend. Very lucky with the weather. Excellent location. Good to have unexpected basic supplies in kitchen. Lounge was comfortable for the evening with wood burners & enough space to dry wet stuff.Val
30/05/2025
Best YH in UKMyshkin
28/05/2025
Great shelter and fun place to spend the night. One of my best hostel experiences.Richard C.
26/05/2025
An amazing place to stay! It's not only the beautiful surroundings that make this YH special. The manager was very welcoming and helpful and the place cozy and clean. Perfect to come back to after a long day in the hills!Kat Jo
26/05/2025
Marred by the blocked flue in the kitchen - horrible smoky atmosphere and smell inside. It was a mistake to keep the fire going to try to produce warm water for the shower. This effort failed anyway - my shower on arrival was barely warm. On second day I settled for a cold shower.Maciej
24/05/2025
A fabulous location for a hostel, beautiful little areas of new forest inside deer fences very close to hostel with lovely birdsongNick
23/05/2025
Great isolated hostel with friendly guests and staff and all the better for no internet!Martin P
20/05/2025
Gorgeous location and perfect for the Glen Affric Way and Mountains.CGD
18/05/2025
Great friendly wee hostel in a superb remote locationAlan
16/05/2025
Our experience overall was positive. However, the hostel is palpably in need of maintenance/repair of its physical structure. Whilst characterful inside, it too is obviously in need of updating eg. bunkrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, entrance areas and to a certain extent the communal room. Both solid fuel stoves and flues need attention as when lit the hostel filled with smoke. The noisy and smelly generator also diminished the experience. If I were a millionaire I'd pay for the rebuilding of it!Tom R
13/05/2025
Two memorable nights in Glen Affric in glorious weather with no midges. What a treat! Great hostel with the usual SYHA welcome and nice personal touches. Clean toilets, running water, beds, a kitchen and the best views.Gaby
06/05/2025
Hostel is in a stunning location and did the job after a long hike.Jelmer
05/05/2025
Great experience in a superb placed hostel with a really sound warden. Great time and laughter.Pete the Feet
02/05/2025
Arrived early and was lucky to sit in the sun until opening time. Fantastic location and better facilities than I was expecting :)Liz T
28/04/2025
A great hostel, thanks to Scott for hosting usSean
26/04/2025
Best place to stay for Affric-Kintail and all heading to Glen AffricJohn W
23/04/2025
What a beautiful and cosy place Glen Affric hostel is. It's a wonderful experience to stay there, with its wood burning stoves and incredible views, and is my favourite hostel in the UK. Its remote, wild position makes it unique and the warden makes everyone feel extremely welcome.Nick & Liz
21/04/2025
Beatuful hostel in a fantastic locationJohn Paul Mason
17/04/2025
A unique hostelling experience.Hielan Bogtrotter
16/04/2025
Loved it, every bit of it. Scott, the warden was excellent.David and Fiona
15/04/2025
The facilities are basic due to the area in which the hostel is situated, but there is everything you need for a comfortable stay. It has a great atmosphere and the toilets/shower and kitchen were clean, with plenty of hot water. The bed was comfortable, and despite the dorms being unheated, it was not cold. Scott obviously knows every bit of the area, and we were glad we took his advice on deciding which order to climb the hills.JSF
15/04/2025
Totally unique, a great experienceEd
14/04/2025
A sturdy and welcoming structure in an absolutely stunning location. Our host Scott made himself available at all times and put all guests at ease. Gurgling streams surrounded by snow capped mountains - hiking heaven.Tim Miller
14/04/2025
Unforgettable. I will be back! Thanks Scott.X
11/04/2025
Unique, remote location of the hostel with access to beautiful sceneries, walks and the opportunity for Munro bagging. Environmental friendly facilities.Gabi
11/04/2025
Basic but comfortable accommodation with a friendly, welcoming host.Melanie
07/04/2025
A very memorable experienceThe hostel is very unique in its situation/location,it's an absolute gem & being so remote is what makes it so special.It has so much character/charm. The hostel allows people an opportunity to experience the stunning surroundings where bringing/staying in a tent might be a struggle. There may be other hostels that have better amenities however they don't compare in character & the memorable experience AltBeithe provides.Would thoroughly recommend the experience.G Macdonald
23/09/2024
We had a great time helped by fantastic weather in the mountains for the full durationNo
19/09/2024
A unique and most memorable stay, in a truly spectacular location. We were very lucky with the weather and were treated to a clear sky with full moon followed by a misty and sunny morning. The hostel is well equipped, comfortable and welcoming. Loved our stay and only wished we could have stayed longer.Julie Elias
18/09/2024
I have been Hostelling since I was 18/19 yrs old. Always wanted to stay at Glen Affric . Life gets in the way However fufilled a 50 year ambition last year for Loch Ossian & This year Glen Affric ??.Intend to be back to both & Hopefully introduce some Friends .Happy to share
Reasons to visit
Nestled amongst beautiful scenery, this former stalking bothy on the Glen Affric Estate is a haven for walkers and mountain bikers, nature lovers and those seeking solitude.
One for real outdoor enthusiasts, the hostel has 15 Munros on its doorstep and good tracks wind through the valleys for both walking and mountain biking.
The Falls of Glomach, a seven mile walk from the hostel, is well worth a visit.
