SYHA Hostelling Scotland is the largest network of tourist Youth Hostels in Scotland, offering over 70 locations across the country.
Our Youth Hostels provide high quality, affordable accommodation with a friendly welcome for anyone travelling around our beautiful country.
We are a charity
Established in 1931, SYHA is a not-for-profit company with charitable status. That means any surplus we generate is put back into the Youth Hostel network and contributes to our youth inclusion programme, Give Us A Break.
SYHA receives no government funding, our income comes from member subscriptions and the sale of tourist accommodation. We are also in need of funding to sustain our unique network and youth inclusion programme, which is why we seek funding from individuals and organisations who support our charitable objectives.
Our aims
SYHA’s purpose is to provide the advancement of education for the public benefit by helping all, but especially young people, to experience Scotland’s natural heritage and places of historic and cultural interest. We aim to provide and maintain Youth Hostels in a diverse range of locations to enable visitors from home and overseas to visit some of the most glorious parts of Scotland.
Membership
We provide free membership to children under the age of 16 and to students in full-time education. SYHA Hostelling Scotland is a leading member of Hostelling International, which means all our members also benefit from access to Youth Hostels in over 80 countries worldwide.
Green tourism
Care for the environment has been part of our philosophy for more than 80 years. We are active participants in the VisitScotland Green Tourism Business Scheme for Hostels. Lochranza Youth Hostel won the prestigious Green Tourism business Goldstar Award 2011, which ranked it as one of the UK’s top ten greenest businesses. In 2012 Loch Ossian Youth Hostel won an award at the Environment Agency and Waterwise biannual UK Water Efficiency Awards.
Economic contribution
We are a major player in the Scottish tourism industry, providing around 500,000 bednights each year. About 60% of our customers come from outside Scotland, which contributes significantly to the economy, both nationally and locally. Many of our Youth Hostels in more remote areas are vitally important to the economic well-being of their locality, and many have an important role to play as the base for the local mountain rescue team, local coffee shop or stopping-off point on a long-distance walk.
Scottish Youth Hostels Association (also known as SYHA) is a registered Scottish charity, No. SC013138 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, No. SC310841
Registered Office: 7 Glebe Crescent, Stirling FK8 2JA