Budget holidays in Scotland

Scotland is brimming with impressive accommodation but you may be surprised to know that a quality experience doesnt have to come with a five-star price tag. Theres a whole host of budget accommodation in Scotland that delivers on service and quality. From living like royalty with the run of a castle, to getting close to nature in a tipi theres somewhere to suit all tastes.

Hostels from cottage to castle

In Scotland many visitors choose the hostel option for a warm, personal experience and the opportunity to connect with the area they are visiting. With many hostels winning tourism awards for service and facilities its not surprising. Hostels offer basic accommodation, but they are all graded by the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme which requires meeting rigorous standards. Theyre comfortable and clean and can be found all over the country, from the middle of the city to the remotest hillside. All will be different, which is a pull for many visitors looking to escape the uniformity of regular hotels, and all offer fantastic value for money. Amy Wellens, from the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA), believes that hostelling in Scotland offers visitors a different view of the country. Whether you choose to stay in a homely cottage or an imposing castle, the experience is one of feeling at home; kicking your shoes off and meeting like-minded people from around the world.

Green and serene

There are two main organisations that promote hostelling in Scotland, SYHA, which is aimed at all visitors not just the young as the name might at first suggest, and Scottish Independent Hostels (SIH). Both actively promote sustainable tourism and green alternatives. A great many hostels represented by both organisations are in receipt of the Gold, Silver or Bronze, Green Tourism Business Scheme Awards for promoting green initiatives and sustainable tourism. Accommodation ranges from basic bunkhouses in dramatic and wild locations to five-star graded hostels.

Live like royalty

It may seem hard to believe, but you can rent a whole castle or large country house at hostel rates. SYHA run the Rentahostel scheme in which large groups can rent a whole hostel off season exclusively. Carbisdale Castle in Sutherland in the northern Highlands offers accommodation for up to 150 people. The magnificent castle is complete with an Italian marble statue gallery and art collection and is rumoured to be home to a ghost or two! Loch Lomond is an impressive turreted stately home set just 300m from the loch and also sleeps up to 150 guests. Both of these impressive venues are perfect for weddings and large parties though visitors can book individual accommodation and enjoy these charismatic buildings at any other time of the year.

For the adventurous

The SYHA offer a comprehensive activity holiday programme too, matching local activities and attractions with nearby hostels at really affordable prices. Their full itinerary includes winter skills in the mountains of the Cairngorms or at Torridon to teach visitors about mountain techniques and safety. Bush craft for the whole family or just for adults to learn about wild food foraging, improvising shelter and learning about the local flora and fauna near Loch Lomond. Theres also many opportunities for canoeing and watersports breaks, mountain biking at some of the best trails in Scotland, wildlife watching and family friendly activities and breaks aimed toward families with young and older children. For the less adventurous, city hostels offer guided city tours taking in lesser as well as the well-known attractions.

Under the stars and more

If hostelling is not for you then there are many other low cost options available to make a stay in Scotland a unique and memorable one. In the main cities, universities open their Halls of Residence to visitors during the Easter and Summer vacations. This low cost option offers guests the chance to stay right in the heart of the city at a fraction of the usual cost; rooms usually include a full Scottish breakfast too. For the more adventurous there are hundreds of campsites, many award winning, in breathtaking locations across the country. Scotland boasts campsites on beaches, by the lochs and glens and in woodland hideaways. For cheap city breaks some of the big cities have campsites within the city limits. Morton Hall Caravan and Camping Park is a 15-minute drive from Edinburghs city centre and is easily accessible by public transport. For a little more luxury you can cosy up around the wood burning stove in your own yurt or tipi. For the ultimate in free accommodation theres wild camping which is legal in Scotland. Provided you act responsibly, Scotlands great outdoors are free for all.

• SYHA
• Morton Hall Caravan and Camping Park
• Scottish Independent Hostels
• Wild Camping
• Outdoor Access Scotland