What Is Scotland’s Top Hostels? Explore Affordable Social Hostels Across Edinburgh & the Highlands
- Jay
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
Planning a backpacking trip around Scotland? Want to make the most of your experience without breaking the bank? Where you stay can shape the whole experience - Edinburgh is a bustling backpacker hub full of museums and history, while the Highlands offers scenic views alongside incredible activities from hiking Ben Nevis to kayaking on Loch Ness.
Taking a look over backpackers hostels online, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Scotland is a backpacker's dream, which means there is plenty on offer and not always at the best price. That's where Scotland's Top Hostels steps in - we offer stays at 9 unbeatable hostels in nearly every corner of the country that have socialising and affordability at the heart.
Book your stay on the Scotland's Top Hostels to skip worrying about where you'll stay. With us, you always get the best price and flexibility in your stay. Find out about our 9 incredible hostels below - your Scottish adventure starts here.
What Is the Scotland’s Top Hostels Website? Your Trusty Guide to Backpacker Hostels in Scotland
We feature and highlight 9 backpacker hostels across Scotland owned by two companies - Macbackpackers and Jo Jo's Hostels. We genuinely believe these hostels offer the best round trip experience - affordable stays, unbeatable locations, a social atmosphere, and well connected by public transport.
This website is designed to be a companion for backpackers in Scotland, check out our, Travel Guide, where you'll find tips on how to see more of this incredible country for less. Or take a look at our Partner Discounts, where we've teamed up with some of the best bars, restaurants, cafes, tour operators and experiences to make your stay more affordable. All you need to do to unlock your discounts? Book a stay with us!
All of the hostels you see offer us the same prices as if booking direct, so think of us as a hub for booking your stays, planning your trip, and finding out about places off the beaten track that you might have otherwise missed.
What's in the Scotland's Top Hostels Travel Guide? Explore Scotland, Get More for Less
We use real backpacker experiences to offer you the best trip insights, itineraries, hidden gems and cheap eats. Take a look at our latest guide showing you how you can travel between many of our hostels on public transport in the Scottish Highlands for just £2!
Looking for real stories about what it's like to stay in a Scotland's Top Hostels location? We summed up 3 days at the most social hostel in the Highlands - Lochside Hostel in Loch Ness, with everything from kayaking to traditional Scottish dancing!
Wondering about how inclusive Scotland is to travel in as an LGBTQIA+ backpacker? We've written up a guide as to what to expect in Edinburgh, and about the amazing queer scene you can explore there:
Looking to save on your trip? Scotland might be cheaper than you think, if you take advantage of our tips on travelling Scotland on a budget:
Does that give you a bit of an idea? We're here to make your trip more affordable, more social, and more safe. Follow us on Instagram for regular posts that give you real insights into what it's like to stay in one of our fun, social, central hostels:
Explore Scotland's Top Hostels - Book with Us to Save
Castle Rock Hostel, Edinburgh
Fabulously located right beside Edinburgh Castle! Our palatial hostel offers wonderful character, with a mix of grandeur and a backpacker vibe!
Enjoy being in Edinburgh’s best location & being at the very heart of the city. Castle Rock Hostel is just a stroll from the bus, train and the airport bus as well as a ONE minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile AND the Grassmarket. We are in a relatively quiet street but the city’s wonderful, late night-life is also just around the corner – ideal!
Built in 1846 and turned into a backpackers hostel in 1997, this grand building is full of art, character and antiquity. Some people say it is more an art gallery or museum than a hostel. We think you will love it with our bright, sunny and spacious rooms and great facilities like FREE Wi-Fi, a movie room, a delightful patio and plenty of room and lounges to kick back and relax or join in the fun with other travellers.
Book your stay today!
Royal Mile Backpackers, Edinburgh
A centrally located hostel with a HUGE personality. It’s the perfect base for exploring Edinburgh!
We’re a small and cosy hostel situated smack bang in the city-centre overlooking Scotland’s most famous street – The Royal Mile. Located halfway between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, you can’t get much closer to the city centre attractions; bars, cafés, restaurants and nightclubs.
With our open plan kitchen and dinning area, making new friends is easy and there is plenty of space to chill and chat with staff and guests in our cosy lounge area with it’s own open fire. Our dorms are light and bright and our bathrooms are clean and spacious with hot showers.
The hostel also offers free Wi-Fi and free tea, coffee & hot chocolate. Our friendly receptionists will offer you some great advice on what to see and do and where to eat and drink during your stay in Edinburgh.
Book your stay today!
High Street Hostel, Edinburgh
Edinburgh's original independent hostel! Opening our doors to world travelers as far back as 1985.
Originally our building, Morton House, was the town-house of the Earl of Morton, who briefly ruled Scotland but was later beheaded due to his involvement in the assassination of the lover of Mary Queen of Scots. Since then Edinburgh has moved on a fair bit and so has our building! With free wi-fi, bedside USB sockets, self-catering kitchen, great showers as well as fabulous and friendly social areas we offer ideal budget accommodation set amidst some pretty ancient architecture.
Even though we are a buzzing place, right in the city centre with a wonderful nightlife on our doorstep you can still occasionally see the Earl trudging disapprovingly through the hostel, holding his head in his hands.
Lochside Hostel, Loch Ness
Imagine a summer camp for adults, but in a social hostel on Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands (so pack a rain jacket, just in case!)
Start your day by joining our group swim from our Loch Ness beach (yes, voluntarily), or a slow morning by the water with a perfect view for Monster-spotting.
Warm up with a fire each evening after a day of hiking (the world-famous Great Glen Way walking path starts on our doorstep), kayaking or chilling.
There’s always social activities at Lochside, every day and night:
Nature walks, Scottish dance parties, arts and crafts, pool tournaments, bonfires on the beach, games, yoga and so much more!
We’re located right on Loch Ness (30 seconds to the beach), surrounded by nature, but still well connected, with buses to Inverness, the Isle of Skye and Fort William stopping right outside.
Wanna cook, eat and drink? We’ve got you covered with our affordable £4 continental breakfast, a fully equipped kitchen, cold local beers, wine, snacks and frozen meals.
Whether you're hiking, canoeing, road tripping or backpacking, come join us to kickstart your ultimate Scottish Highland adventure!
Fort William Backpackers
Deep in the Highlands, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery lies Fort William, The Outdoor Capital of the UK and a mecca for those with a spirit of adventure.
Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, sits just around the corner and below it lies Glen Nevis -perhaps the prettiest Glen in Scotland with it’s wonderful waterfalls & ancient pine forest.
Nestled on a hillside above the town, our characterful and comfy hostel provides everything you’ll need after an adventure in the hills. Our dorms are small with a maximum of eight beds. Each bed is made up with sheets, a duvet, and two fluffy pillows.
We have a self-catering kitchen with everything you will need and a spacious dining room overlooking our patio and the mountains beyond. In the evening put your feet up in our elegant lounge in front of a real fire or stroll down to the choice of local pubs and restaurants just minutes away. When the weather is nice, we’ll likely have a barbecue or camp fire on our patio so come join us!
Skye Backpackers
Skye Backpackers sits in the picturesque fishing village of Kyleakin, skirted by mountains and sea. It’s a small cosy and friendly hostel with loads of character and great staff who are committed to ensuring that you make the most of your time on the legendary Isle of Skye.
Our accommodation is comprised of one double room (with seaside views), one family room (with seaside views), two budget twin rooms & five dorm rooms that vary in size between four to eight beds per room. We also have two caravans in our garden which accommodates up to 18 people. All of our beds come complete with full bed linen and 2 pillows so there is no need to bring your sleeping bag.We have a great fully equipped self catering kitchen, a sunny dining area and the famous Groove Lounge with a real coal fire, loads of books and games and spectacular seaside views.
There’s plenty to see and do around the Isle of Skye so come and ask us for ideas – we’re a friendly bunch!
Inverness Student Hotel
Inverness is the capital city of the Highlands and is set amongst some of Scotland’s most fascinating attractions.
The Inverness Student Hotel has a terrific outlook over the river and the city to the hills beyond. It’s a quirky building with real character and a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Our comfortable dormitory rooms have between five and ten beds.
We have a spacious common room with big Victorian style windows that offer stunning views over the River Ness. It is a great place to meet like-minded travellers, whilst enjoying all the free tea, coffee and hot chocolate you can drink!
We can arrange bike rentals and will send you on your way with free maps to help you discover the magnificent beauty that is Loch Ness!
We are also only ten minutes walk from the Train and Bus Station and a quick five minutes walk into the town centre.
Oban Backpackers
Whether you’re passing through Oban on the way to the Islands, or staying for a couple of days and exploring historic and beautiful Argyll, the original Oban Backpackers is the best backpacker accommodation in town! The Original Oban Backpackers is perfectly located to enable you to make the most of your time in Oban. Just a ten minute stroll from the bus, train and ferry terminals, our friendly hostel has everything you will need after a great day out exploring.
Our spacious, bright dorm rooms offer wide comfy beds that come complete with fitted sheets, duvets and 2 comfy pillows. Our powerful hot showers are guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and ready for your next adventure. We have a fully equipped self-catering kitchen that has everything you will need to cook your favourite meal and plenty of storage space and fridges available for you to use.
Pitlochry Backpackers Hotel
Need to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city? Pitlochry is the place to stay. Only two hours North of Edinburgh, Pitlochry is situated in beautiful Highland Perthshire. It is ideally located to explore the surrounding area with its variety of stunning landscapes and range of activities.
Pitlochry Backpackers is an old Victorian hotel, bursting with character. We offer a range of rooms – dormitory (four to eight beds), twins and double rooms. It’s a relaxing place to stay and unwind, with its big cosy lounge boasting a free pool table, comfy sofas, free tea, coffee & hot chocolate, free Wi-Fi, games, book swap and loads of info on the local area. Our comfy beds come complete with bedding so there is no need to worry about carrying a sleeping bag. Our self catering kitchen has everything you will need to prepare your favourite dinner.
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