This map of the Scottish Borders, Southern Highlands, and South Scotland, including the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, shows the locations of bunkhouses, bothies, and hostels in these locations.

This map of hostels and bunkhouses in Southern Scotland shows self-catering hostel-style accommodation in the Scottish Borders. Including Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, and the Southern Uplands. These hostels are all part of Independent Hostels UK, the largest bunkhouse and hostels network in the UK. Lots of tourists travel quickly through these areas or use the hostels and bunkhouses there as a base to visit Edinburgh and Glasgow. This is a shame, as Southern Scotland has some lovely hostels. Its fertile land historically fed the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and the Scottish Borders are full of history.

History in the Borders

There are many castles in this area and legends arising from historic border disputes. Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott come from Southern Scotland. Sir Walter Scott built Abbotsford House here to be his home. The county of Ayrshire in Southern Scotland is the home of Robert Burns, he was born in the village of Alloway and spent much time in the town of  Ayr. The River Tweed flows through the Scottish Borders and along its length are small market towns such as Melrose. The town has local museums telling folk tales about warring families and the Border Reivers. This area has been fought over since Roman times with many battles between the English and the Scots. Historic monuments open to the public include the ruins of four abbeys, many stately homes, haunted castles, museums, gardens, and parks.

Borderland Activtities

For those wanting the excitement of challenging mountain biking the 7stanes bike trails in Dumfries and Galloway provide all the thrills with bunkhouse accommodation close by. The Borderloop Cycle Route circles around Galashiels and Hawick. The Pennine Way finishes in the Scottish borders and St. Cuthbert’s Way passes through the area. The bunkhouses and hostels in this area provide great facilities for groups, families, touring, hill walking, and cycling in Southern Scotland and the Scottish Borders.

To the southwest, Dumfries and Galloway jut out into the sea, and is well worth taking a diversion from the north-south A74 to Glasgow. With a coastline of tidal flats, sandy coves, and sea cliffs, this area is ideal for family holidays, walking, and bird watching. Pay a visit to the traditional Dumfries towns of Portpatrick and Kirkcudbright.

The Scottish Borders have wild uplands, green valleys, and a pretty coastline.  Many visitors enjoy outdoor pursuits. Fishing, walking and mountain biking are available including the 7stanes centres’ bike trails. There are great facilities for hill walking, cycling, and mountain biking. The Pennine Way finishes in this area of the Scottish Borders. St. Cuthbert’s Way is another popular long distance walk.  Cyclists enjoy the Borderloop Cycle Route and Sustrans Route 84.

Mull

Mull is a great family holiday destination, with plenty of things to see and do.  Calgary Bay is home to one of the most accessible and photographed beaches in Scotland.  This magical island with its rugged and enchanting scenery is ideal for eagle spotters and otter watchers, while the magnificent Duart Castle is a great family day out. A family visit to Mull could not be complete without a visit to Tobermory where the children’s TV program, Balamory,  was filmed and where whale and dolphin watching trips set out. There is a choice of hostels providing friendly and flexible self catering accommodation on the Island of Mull as well as on many of the smaller surrounding islands.

View of Mull and the mountains beyond from the Isle of Iona.

Iona

Iona, a small island off the coast of Mull, is a place of peace; a spiritual land with a small Christian community. The island also has a very special hostel, which welcomes artists and travellers and offers them a quiet sanctuary.

Hostels and bunkhouses in Aberdeenshire, the Cairngorms, and the Moray Coast

The Cairngorms National Park with its native woodland, lochs and high mountains is a remarkably accessible part of the Scottish Highlands. In the Cairngorms National Park, you will find wild landscapes and isolation only a few hour’s drive from Edinburgh. Even a drive up the A9 dual carriageway gives a glance into the wilderness. The ancient Caledonian pine forest and mountains of the Cairngorms provide miles of natural habitat for the Red Squirrel and the Golden Eagle. Some of the rarest animals in Scotland. The mountains of Cairngorm, Lochnagar, and many more Munros and Corbetts are ideal for the day walker and climbers. Long distance walks like the Speyside Way, the Deeside Way, the Cateran Trail, and the Dava Way gives the opportunity for a longer walking holiday. Here you can immerse yourself in the Wilderness experience.

The Cairngorms by Road

For those interested in touring the Cairngorms National Park by car there are lots of attractions and towns to visit. Grantown-on-Spey, the historic capital of Strathspey, is worth a visit as is Aviemore the ski capital of Scotland. You can stop off in Braemar in the heart of Royal Deeside or visit Balmoral Castle. Travel down the Spey valley or Glenmore. Visit Glenshee, Nethybridge, or Newtonmore. The Cairngorm National Park provides an ideal base for year-round activities including water sports on the lochs, pony trekking, and fishing. In winter there is skiing and ice climbing.  In Spring, Summer, and Autumn the ski runs make challenging cycle trails for the adventurous mountain biker. For the family, there are off-road trails such as the Deeside Way and Old Logging Way. The Moray coast has attractive fishing villages, still immersed in the fishing trade, wide sandy beaches, and interesting coastal geology.

Walking Adventures Near Moray

There are several long-distance paths including The Moray Coast Trail. The Moray Firth is famous for its year-round population of bottle-nose dolphins which can often be seen jumping out of the water. All along the coast Otters and many birds can be seen. The more southerly part of this map cover Angus, a maritime county. Angus is a country of small towns like Forfar, Kirriemuir, Arbroath, and a rich fertile farming county with views of the Grampian mountains. This area of East Scotland is ideal for exploration, why not use the self catering accommodation on the map above to plan your adventure?

Hostels, Bunkhouses and Bothies in Orkney and Shetland

Visit the Orkney hostels, bunkhouses or bothies on one of the 70 Orkney islands and you will find you become part of island life. This is especially true of the accommodation on the smaller of the Northern Isles, such as North Ronaldsay. Some of the most ancient sites in the UK are on Orkney. The 5000-year-old Skara Brae preserved village, Maeshowe a chambered burial tomb and the Ring of Brodgar stone circle are all close to Stromness. Visit the towns of Kirkwall and Stromness to see pretty little shopping streets, harbours and ports. The smaller Northern Isles can be reached within one day’s travel by ferry from Kirkwall harbour which is served by regular public transport.

Skara Brae ancient village on Orkney

You may think that Shetland is remote being at the far North of the UK, but the Northern Isles are the hub of a travel network that reaches out to Scotland, Orkney, Shetland, Iceland and Norway. On the Shetland Isles, you can visit the many islands, walk and explore the boundless seascapes. The isolation of the islands has led to the development of unique fauna and flora and the bird life is exceptional. Cultural events on Shetland include the Up Helly Aa Guizers festival of fire in Lerwick which celebrates the burning of a Viking galley with dancing till dawn.

More about the islands that make up Shetland

Where Scotland meets Scandinavia and the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean lie the islands of Shetland . They have a rugged beauty and the people are known for the friendliness of their welcome.  Visit Shetland to see wildlife, coastal birdlife and enjoy the community spirit.

One of the Camping Böds on the Shetland Isles

The largest island, the Mainland, is one of the largest Scottish islands.  Fifteen other inhabited islands make up the archipelago.  The islands have  a rugged coastline and many low, rolling hills.  The early history of the islands was influenced by Scandinavia with many settlers from Norway. The islands did not become part of Scotland until the 15th century.  Fishing, tourism and the oil industry provide Shetland’s income and employment.

Flybe operates from Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Sumburgh (Shetland). Logan Air flies to and from Fair Isle