Regular user of the Independent Hostels Guide Neil Thompson loved Ballater Hostel on his recent visit.  This is what he said “This is the freshest hostel I’ve come across , the owners are helpful, facilities and location excellent”.
Ballater Hostel (previously known as Habitat Hostel) provides a perfect base.  Book the whole hostel, book a bed or a room. It has 25 beds in shared and private rooms and is right in the centre of Ballater, near Balmoral.  Large open plan kitchen/communal area with wood burning stove.   In a great location for the east Cairngorms, amazing walking and cycling, on the bus route between Aberdeen and Braemar, Lochnagar (both the mountain and the distillery) and Loch Muick less than 10miles away, Balmoral only a 15min drive, Muir Of Dinnet National Nature Reserve (with MacGregor’s Cave) & Cambus O May Forest just up the road, a mound of castles nearby, close to Lecht and Glenshee ski resor. In the village are several restaurants & cafes, two bike hire places, an information centre and a variety of shops including a butchers, a deli, a well-stocked Co-op . Perfect for visiting East Cairngorms – especially Lochnagar and Loch Muick.

Inspired by Independent Hostel UK, Ballater Hostel have just twinned their loo and bought some bamboo loo roll. Their donation to Tearfund will provide clean water and safe sanitation to some of the world’s poorest people.  This is just one of the Green efforts made at  Ballater Hostel.  It  uses a green heating system, underfloor heating by air source heat pump, to keep their guests toastie warm in Winter.  They also encourage their guests to adventure by bike by providing a large secure bike storage area.