Historic hostels charity offers lifetime membership to new-born babies as it battles for survival

The charity responsible for historic hostels in some of the most remote parts of Scotland is to offer lifetime memberships to thousands of new-born babies this month to mark its 90th birthday.

Glen Affric youth hostel is a former stalking bothy.

Hostelling Scotland, which started life as the Scottish Youth Hostels Association, hopes to encourage future generations of travellers to use its properties with the offer, which is available for all children born in February.

The families of more than 3000 babies could take advantage of the birthday offer, based on the number of February births recorded in recent years.

Hotelling Scotland, which is part of a 4000-strong global network, is also offering a reduced rate on its normal life membership, down from £150 to £90, to coincide with its anniversary today.

Scotland’s biggest and longest-running hostel operator has launched the offer for new-born babies, which must be taken up by their parents before the end of March, as it faces a battle for financial survival.

The charity, which already has more than 8000 lifetime members, suffered an 89 per cent drop in revenue last year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

It faces the prospect of another disastrous year due to ongoing travel restrictions and social distancing rules on accommodation operators if and when they are given the green light to reopen.

Hostelling Scotland has attracted more than 380,000 guests annually in recent years and its network is said to generated an estimated £25 million for the economy.

Loch Ossian youth hostel is ideally located for walkers looking to explore the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor in the Highlands.

However just seven hostels in the 33-strong Hostelling Scotland network were able to open last year as they were able to offer private rooms. The remainder still offer travellers the traditional communal living and shared space experiences that has built up such a loyal following since the SYHA was formed in 1931.

Some of its best-known hostels include Loch Ossian on Rannoch Moor, Glenbrittle, on the Isle of Skye, Glen Nevis, at the foot of the Ben Nevis and the end of the West Highland Way, Glen Affric, a former stalking bothy in Inverness-shire, and Achmelvich Beach, in the Lochinver area of the north-west Highlands.Ms Paterson said: “As we reflect on our most challenging year since 1931 and celebrate being 90 years young, we are determined that 2021 will be a year of positivity and hope, celebrating our hostelling family’s past, present and future.

"Hostelling Scotland is delighted to enable a new generation of hosteller to experience travel and adventure across this beautiful country of ours, exploring new places, making memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

"Any child born in February 2021 is eligible for free lifetime membership, which includes loads of additional member benefits. All you have to do is sign them up on our website before the end of March.”

Glen Nevis youth hostel is located at the foot of Ben Nevis, the end of the West Highland Way and the start of the Great Glen Way.

Hostelling Scotland, which has generated £9 million in turnover in recent years, was plunged into its “worst ever crisis” as its financial position slid from a £1.4 million surplus in 2019 to a loss of more than £2 million last year.

Ms Paterson added: “2020 was the most challenging year in the organisation’s history but we feel confident there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"We’re delighted and thankful for all the messages of support and as we recover from this crisis, we look forward to welcoming our guests to our youth hostels once again when the time is right and it is safe to do so.”

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