SYHA is a registered Scottish charity, and our charitable aims are as important to us as they were when the charity was founded in 1931. Our primary objective is:

The advancement of education, for the public benefit, by helping all, but especially young people, to experience and appreciate the Scottish countryside, environment, natural heritage and places of historic and cultural interest in Scotland, and through the promotion of their health, recreation and education, particularly by providing low-cost accommodation for them on their travels.

As a charity, we aim to provide and maintain hostels in locations which would not be considered viable by independent hostel owners. We feel that the range and diversity of our network hostel is very important, and that it enables people from home and abroad to visit some of the most special parts of Scotland. 

Of course, our city hostels and the hostels in the more popular visitor centres are also important, and it is the income from these hostels which allows us to maintain some of our more remote hostels. We would encourage you to visit as many of our hostels as you can, from the big city hostels to the small cottages at the far reaches of this wonderful country, so that you can fully appreciate all that Scotland has to offer.

SYHA receives no government funding, and most of our income therefore comes from the sale of tourist accommodation and associated catering and additional sales income. We also actively seek funding from private and corporate sources, from individuals and companies who support our charitable objectives.

How to support our charity
The best way for you to support our work, and to ensure the continuation of youth hostelling in Scotland, is by becoming and member of SYHA and staying in our hostels. Our customers are the life-blood of the Association, and we are delighted to see so many new customers joining the hostelling community, enjoying the unique and friendly atmosphere of each of our hostels.

Some of our members choose to make an additional donation to help fund our work, and all these donations, large or small, are gratefully received. If you would like to make a donation, please download the donation and Gift Aid form HERE, and send it with a cheque to the SYHA National Office in Stirling (the address is on the form)

Volunteers
You may also be interested in becoming a volunteer – helping to run one of our smaller hostels during the summer, or joining one of the work-parties which help maintain and develop our hostels at various times during the year. These are a great way to meet fellow hostellers, while actively supporting the Association at the same time.  Full details of our SYHA volunteer programme are available on the Volunteers page.

Members’ Groups
Our Members Groups are another way to meet like-minded individuals who share a particular interest or hobby.

Mission Statement
The objects of the Association shall be:

• The advancement of education, for the public benefit, by helping all, but especially young people, to experience and appreciate the Scottish countryside, environment, natural heritage and places of historic and cultural interest in Scotland, and through the promotion of their health, recreation and education, particularly by providing low-cost accommodation for them on their travels;
• To co-operate with other organisations for the following purposes; to preserve the beauties of the countryside; to secure and mark rights-of-way and other footpaths; to facilitate the provision of education; to improve international relations by the provision of facilities for young people from other countries while travelling in Scotland and vice versa;
• To co-operate with kindred organisations in other countries;
• To take any steps calculated to further the above purposes;
• The Association shall not be made the vehicle of any form of internal or external propaganda except in furtherance of the objects specified in this Article.