Hostels and bunkhouses providing self catering accommodation in the Lowlands of South Scotland including the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, the Southern Uplands and also the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. There is a choice of hostels in Edinburgh and Glasgow, all offering fun in city centre locations. These backpackers hostels provide events to get to know other guests including pub crawls, games nights and city tours. Within the Scottish borders there are historic towns, unruffled by the masses, great for enjoying the local history, peaceful walking and fishing.
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 maps of hostel and bunkhouses in Southern Scotland shows self-catering hostel style accommodation in the Scottish Borders, 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. Which 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. 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, with 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.
For those wanting the excitement of challenging mountain biking the 7stanes bike trails in Dumfires 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 south-west Dumfries and Galloway juts 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 as well as the Tweedlove Cycling festival which takes place in May in the Tweed Valley around Peebles. The Pennine Way finishes in this area of Scottish Borders. St. Cuthbert’s Way is another popular long distance walk. Cyclists enjoy the Borderloop Cycle Route and Sustrans Route 84.
