Ratagan
About About this youth hostel
Small and intimate, Ratagan Youth Hostel enjoys a stunning lochside location with views over the Five Sisters of Kintail. This warm and welcoming hostel offers a range of accommodation from private rooms to shared dorms all with USB charging points. The accommodation is split over two floors and none of the rooms are en-suite, but there are ample shower and washroom facilities available.
WiFi access is free for all guests and other facilities include: a large well-equipped self-catering kitchen, a comfortable lounge with views over the Five Sisters of Kintail, a laundry, drying room, luggage store and secure bike shed. Basic provisions, including frozen ready meals, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.
The hostel is surrounded by mountains, lochs and forests, but sits close to a main road, with a bus stop only 1.5 miles away making it easily accessible by public transport. Free parking is available onsite.
Ratagan 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) 1599 511 243 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ and 'Heat it and eat it' evening meals available (Please remember to pre-book your breakfast).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Lochside location with magnificent views
- World famous Eilean Donan Castle eight miles away
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Perfect base for hillwalking and kayaking
- Dog friendly
- Licensed, serving local beers and wine
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Ratagan Youth Hostel


Facilities & Services
Season
April to early October (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
08:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
08:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Late arrival and access outside opening hours is available by prior arrangement
Amenities
Free Wifi
Family Rooms
Lounge Area
Drying Room
Bike Store
Suitable for wheelchair users with assistance
Pet Dogs Welcome
Private Rooms
Catering
Laundry Room
Secure Lockers
Access with limited mobility
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Guest Reviews
31/03/2025
ExcellentMarie
31/03/2025
ExcellentMarie
28/01/2025
this is the 13th consecutive year (with a 1 year break due to covid) that Grampian SubAqua club has enjoyed the perfect location and comfortable amenities of Ratagan in JanuaryJerry
28/01/2025
this is the 13th consecutive year (with a 1 year break due to covid) that Grampian SubAqua club has enjoyed the perfect location and comfortable amenities of Ratagan in JanuaryJerry
28/10/2024
The Hostel location and facilities were great, everywhere was clean and tidy, the lounge was cosy and the kitchen was perfectly equipped. There is a beautiful view out onto the loch and hostel host Suzanne was amazing. She provided walking and hiking ideas as well as where is good to go for a dip in the loch and helped me find good weather forecasts. Big thanks to her for making our stay so enjoyable!Raph
28/10/2024
The Hostel location and facilities were great, everywhere was clean and tidy, the lounge was cosy and the kitchen was perfectly equipped. There is a beautiful view out onto the loch and hostel host Suzanne was amazing. She provided walking and hiking ideas as well as where is good to go for a dip in the loch and helped me find good weather forecasts. Big thanks to her for making our stay so enjoyable!Raph
21/10/2024
We booked the whole hostel as 'Rentahostel' to get a large group of outdoor enthusiasts together for a particular celebration. I believe that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I will be buzzing for many days. It gets 5 stars only because you don't allow 6!Andy Heald
21/10/2024
We booked the whole hostel as 'Rentahostel' to get a large group of outdoor enthusiasts together for a particular celebration. I believe that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I will be buzzing for many days. It gets 5 stars only because you don't allow 6!Andy Heald
14/10/2024
A fantastic hostel in a superb setting. Perfect fir us as a kayaking club being right on the edge of the Loch.Paddlemel
14/10/2024
A fantastic hostel in a superb setting. Perfect fir us as a kayaking club being right on the edge of the Loch.Paddlemel
01/10/2024
5 Star location, comfortable beds, pleasant and helpful staff, lovely comfortable lounge with a stunning view onto the Five Sisters ridge.We have visited on several occasions and will revisit again :-)Blantyre Hillwalking Club
01/10/2024
5 Star location, comfortable beds, pleasant and helpful staff, lovely comfortable lounge with a stunning view onto the Five Sisters ridge.We have visited on several occasions and will revisit again :-)Blantyre Hillwalking Club
01/10/2024
5 Star location, comfortable beds, pleasant and helpful staff, lovely comfortable lounge with a stunning view onto the Five Sisters ridge.We have visited on several occasions and will revisit again :-)Blantyre Hillwalking Club
30/09/2024
A great hostel in a great location with good facilities and friendly and helpful staff.Jeff Redgrave
30/09/2024
A great hostel in a great location with good facilities and friendly and helpful staff.Jeff Redgrave
28/09/2024
Wonderful location.Well run.Geoff
28/09/2024
Wonderful location.Well run.Geoff
27/09/2024
Really comfortable hostel, good facilities (although the drying took could be a bit small if the hostel is full of folk with wet gear) in a great location.Andy
27/09/2024
Really comfortable hostel, good facilities (although the drying took could be a bit small if the hostel is full of folk with wet gear) in a great location.Andy
27/09/2024
Really comfortable hostel, good facilities (although the drying took could be a bit small if the hostel is full of folk with wet gear) in a great location.Andy
24/09/2024
Excellent venueNo
24/09/2024
Excellent venueNo
24/09/2024
Absolute pleasure staying in a hostel located in such a picturesque setting.Anil Tewari
24/09/2024
Absolute pleasure staying in a hostel located in such a picturesque setting.Anil Tewari
24/09/2024
Wonderful genuine hostel experience in a great location.Weewebby
24/09/2024
Wonderful genuine hostel experience in a great location.Weewebby
24/09/2024
Wonderful genuine hostel experience in a great location.Weewebby
23/09/2024
Very enjoyableNo
23/09/2024
Very enjoyableNo
23/09/2024
A lovely comfortable hostel in a perfect location on the banks of the loch and close to loads of brilliant munros. Easy to book, very friendly and accommodating staff. And very good value for money. A perfect experience.Andrew L
Reasons to visit
Ratagan Youth Hostel enjoys a stunning loch-side location and boasts an amazing view of the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range from its sitting room.
Popular with cyclists, the Mam Ratagan Pass is a scenic hill road to Glenelg where you can catch the historic turntable ferry to Skye. This fabulous little ferry is one of a kind and simply the best way to travel to Skye. The short crossing provides magnificent views and the enthusiastic crew are always happy to tell you about the local wildlife, scenery and the ferry's history.
Low level scrambles and ridge walks are all within easy reach of the hostel and the garden is ideal for launching kayaks where you can take to the water to explore famous local landmarks such as Eilean Donan Castle.
There are plenty of Munros to tackle in the local area and The Falls of Glomach, one of the highest and most remote waterfalls in Britain, is within easy reach.
For wildlife enthusiasts, otters, seals and porpoises can often be seen from the garden and deer roam the surrounding hillsides.
Charter a fishing boat or let someone else do the hard work while you kick back and enjoy some fresh local shellfish at the Glenelg Inn or Sheena's famous tea hut.