Want to get the most out of your backpacking trip to Edinburgh without the fuss? For backpackers on a budget and on a mission to do as much as possible with their time, there's nothing better than our new STH Experiences page. It puts everything directly onto a single, live-updated dashboard. You can instantly filter through daily events, compare prices, and check exact departure times for local walking tours, live music gigs, whisky tastings, and group pub crawls...

If you're a backpacker or budget traveller looking to tick off some of the most classically Scottish sights and experiences in one day, the Highland Cows & Scotland Castles 1 Day Tour from Macbackpackers is exactly what you're looking for. Leaving with from the doorstep of Castle Rock Hostel, this 10-hour itinerary packs in all the magic of the Highlands without the fuss.

This exclusive deal won't be found on third party booking platforms or apps, just here on the Scotland's Top Hostels website. There's no promo code, no fuss, just put your dates in, see what's available at our affordable, social hostels, and you'll unlock 10% off your stay.

Were you with us on our last FREE weekly Edinburgh backpackers' pub crawl? Got FOMO? Want to see if you can find that picture of yourself from last night before things got a wee bit blurry? Or that stunning group pic?

If you're short on time but want to pack in some of Scotland's most iconic sights during your trip to our wee country, Macbackpackers has the answer for you. The new Highland Cows & Castles Day Trip is a jam-packed 10-hour adventures designed for budget travellers and backpackers aged 18-35 who want a taste of the Highlands without the overnight stay.

Good news! We're bringing down prices for selected dates the rest of this June at our central, vibrant, social Castle Rock Hostel. With 3 large lounges catering to all vibes from social to laid-back, daily social events including a free Solo Traveller Meet-Up, a well-equipped kitchen, and free tea & coffee 24/7, it's the perfect backpacker stay in the city centre.

Looking at a last minute city break this June? Backpacking around Europe and not sure what your next stop should be? Edinburgh, the Scottish Capital, can sometimes be a pricey place to stay, but with cheap Ryanair & Easyjet flights from most of Europe landing in the city, it's certainly an affordable place to get to.

We're not usually the ones to blow our own bagpipes, but when the global travel community speaks, it's rude not to. Our Edinburgh hostels have consistently won Hostelworld's HOSCARs, among the most well-recognised awards in the backpacking industry, for their inclusive atmospheres, incredible buildings, commitment to sustainability, central location, and welcoming staff.

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.

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 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.

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.

The good news is that you don’t need to head deep into the Highlands or book an expensive tour to see these big fluffy, friendly beasts! You can travel a short distance to Swanston Farm where you can spot Highland cows, and enjoy nearby walking routes in the scenic Pentland Hills.

Absolutely - Edinburgh offers a diverse range of queer-inclusive social backpackers hostels, alongside an inclusive vibe as a city. With LGBTQIA+ owned bookshops, breweries, bars and walking tours, you can combine a day exploring with fantastic queer club nights and drag shows at night, all in a city with a walkable, friendly atmosphere.

In this guide, we'll explain how the new £2 bus fare works, which routes you can take to reach unforgettable social hostels, and how you can use it to travel between some of the best backpacker destinations including Loch Ness without breaking the bank.