Sceptic? Believer? Either way, nobody travels to Loch Ness without at least secretly hoping to spot a mysterious ripple in the water. The myth, the legend, ultimate hide and seek champion, Nessie could be jut a glance away. But you don't need to be on the shores of Loch Ness to join the hunt anymore. We've launched Nessiecam, our official Live Loch Ness Webcam, to give monster hunters the upper hand.

Let's be honest, your trip to Scotland won't feel complete until you've come face-to-face with a Highland Cow. These majestic, fluffy beasts are known to locals and backpackers alike as Hairy Coos, and there's no better place to encounter them than against the stunning backdrop of mythical Loch Ness.

So you want to visit the Scottish Highlands, you open up Google Maps and look for the best way to head from Edinburgh up North, and maybe you wonder if you're missing something? That was certainly my case when I first looked at travelling up North, it felt like it should just be easier to visit the top destinations like Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, and Glencoe than having to bus-hop endlessly.

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but when it comes to our free Edinburgh backpackers pub crawl, a picture is usually worth about three discount Jägerbombs, two new best friends from the other side of the world, and a slightly blurry memory of singing 500 Miles at the top of your lungs.

Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh has built up a reputation for being one of Europe's biggest and best social backpackers hostels. From winning awards at the Hostelworld HOSCARS consistently every year, through to the thousands of reviews mentioning engaging staff, fun organised events, and a great atmosphere each evening, you'll be sure to get the most of your backpacking trip to Edinburgh with a stay at Castle Rock.

Backpacking around the Scottish Highlands without a car can sometimes feel complicated, but it's getting easier thanks to Edinburgh-based bus company Ember opening up new direct routes that are changing the game for travelling this scenic part of the world.

Lochside Hostel is the only hostel on Loch Ness with its own beach, kayak hire, and is located right along the Great Glen Way hiking route. The best part? The hostel hosts daily activities and events to bring together guests from all over the world. Think traditional Scottish dance nights,

Heading to Edinburgh on your backpacking trip and looking for the best bars where you can meet people without breaking the bank? Whether you're looking for cheap pints, live music, late-night dancing, or a place to chill out, we've got you covered.

If you're backpacking through the Scottish Highlands and Islands, you're likely to find Oban a very welcome surprise (just as I did). Perched on the West Coast, close to Fort William, this harbour town has plenty to do without the bustle and price of a bigger city like Edinburgh. It's a slow-paced, scenic and affordable place to visit.

If your backpacking trip is taking you to Edinburgh and you're looking for a hostel where it's actually easy to meet people, you'll likely find Castle Rock Hostel popping up on Hostelworld and elsewhere. Set right in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle in the middle of the Old Town, it's known for its huge and varied common areas, relaxed social atmosphere, and daily social events that bring travellers together naturally - where that's over drinks, games, pub crawls, Scottish danc

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.

Travelling through Scotland this summer and looking to make the most of your trip without the hassle of having to rent a car? With a little bit of planning you can easily travel across the Highlands and stay in affordable social hostels in incredible locations with scenic views.

Fort William makes a fantastic base for exploring the Highlands - known as the adventure capital of Scotland, it sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis and has unrivalled access to walking, hiking, wild swimming, climbing and more. Whether you're staying for a few nights or heading on to your next destination, we've put together all the places you can visit directly from Fort William on the £2 bus scheme here.

I went on my third backpacking trip to Skye recently from Edinburgh, and it reminded me just how much has changed in recent years! You can now journey around the Highlands for just £2 on buses, massively cutting the cost from what it was even a few years ago. Even then, the Isle of Skye has a reputation for being one of Scotland's most expensive destinations, so here are my top recommendations for anyone looking to journey to the Misty Hebridean Isle this summer while backpac

Known as one of the most social backpackers hostels in the city, Castle Rock also offers the kind of flexible spaces and relaxed atmosphere that make it surprisingly workable for digital nomads. If you’re looking for a place where you can log on, get your work done, and then actually have people to hang out with afterwards, here’s what it’s really like to stay here.

Looking for an affordable place to stay in Edinburgh without ending up somewhere dull, cramped, or far from the action? The good news is in Scotland's capital, you don’t have to choose between price and experience.

Travelling as a couple in Edinburgh usually means choosing between pricey hotels or rolling the dice on a hostel. How can you as a backpacker couple make the most of your time in the city while still finding space for valuable time with each other? Royal Mile Backpackers sits right in the sweet spot: cosy, central, and genuinely social without being loud or overwhelming.

If you're wondering whether there's a social backpackers hostel that makes it easy to meet people while visiting, the short answer is yes - Lochside Hostel is located directly on Loch Ness, and is well known for its daily social events, beachside setting, and relaxed, welcoming vibe. Lochside isn't just a place to sleep, it's a place where solo travellers can hike, kayak, eat, dance and swim together.