Review: Lochranza Youth Hostel
Lochranza Youth Hostel is a clean, comfortable and friendly budget accommodation in the most amazing location on the Isle of Arran. I stayed in a private dorm, and used it as my base for a weekend of island exploration. Find out how I got on.
This post is part of a paid campaign with Hostelling Scotland. Check out my other blog post with all my recommended things to do and places to eat on Arran.
Every location on Arran is beautiful, there’s no getting away from that. Some places are just that bit extra special, however – like Lochranza. There’s a whisky distillery, an award-winning restaurant, and a local sandwich takeaway which has become an island institution. Impressive, for such a wee village.
Lochranza Bay is the epitome of picturesque, with an ancient castle on the horizon, and a backdrop of mountains gathering into a group hug. Wildlife roam freely on the road, the golf course, and the sand when the tide is out. By nightfall, the last of the day’s light bursts through the clouds, bathing the landscape in the prettiest of peachy glows. You can skim stones in the water, go to the local (and only) pub, or do absolutely nothing. Sounds the perfect base for an Arran adventure, don’t you think?
#GOHOSTELLING
Hostelling Scotland has an impressive portfolio of hostels all around the country. You’ll find them in the Highland and Islands, the cities and the wilderness. If you haven’t stayed in a hostel before, you may have some preconceptions about the hostelling experience. Let’s begin by dispelling some myths.
Firstly, when it comes to the type of guests who stay at the hostel, the clue is not in the name. The Lochranza Youth Hostel does not exclusively appeal to the younger generation; in fact, the hostel attracts a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and nationalities. I met solo-explorers, families with young children (and grandparents), and small groups of friends. The only way the guests can be collectively pigeon-holed, is that they are keen to explore – and they’re usually chatty and sociable. Exactly my kind of people!
Secondly, if you have any concerns about the hygiene or comfort in these hostels, you needn’t worry. Lochranza Youth Hostel was immaculately clean, with spacious public areas, comfortable beds, and tasteful wee touches of Scottish décor throughout. I particularly liked the Jolomo prints (my favourite Scottish artist!).
Lastly, if sharing a room with strangers just isn’t your thing, that’s totally cool. Lochranza has a selection of rooms including doubles, twins and family dorms – some even have en-suite bathrooms. You can have your own privacy, for much less than you’d pay for a hotel.
LOCHRANZA YOUTH HOSTEL: THE BEST BITS
This location is absolutely idyllic, and I can’t express this enough. Just across the narrow road from the hostel, I was greeted by rabbits, sheep, oyster catchers, a lone heron and a pair of swans. After a day of island adventures, I looked forward to returning to this peaceful wee pocket of the island to unwind. The attractive hostel building peeks out from behind the trees, welcoming you inside.
Reception is manned by super-friendly staff, who are happy to help with information about the hostel or the island. You can purchase bottled water, beer from the Isle of Arran Brewery, wee tubs of Arran Ice Cream, and oven pizzas to cook if you’re hungry on arrival.
There are two lounge areas which are flooded with natural light. You’ll find numerous leaflets, maps and sources of information about the island, as well as books, games and a TV with a DVD player. This is also a great place to socialise and share travel tips with the other guests in the hostel.
The kitchen area has everything you need to cook for yourself – or your group. If you’d like to save some money by self-catering, there is a spacious kitchen and dining area, with multiple gas cookers, fridges, and utensils. There is also complimentary tea and coffee which is a really nice touch!
All dorms have individual lockers and reading lights in the bunks. I was in a private dorm, but I know from my days of backpacking how important these wee details can be. I also appreciated the plug socket next to the table and chairs which I worked from. The free WiFi only had a decent signal in the public areas, but I had good mobile coverage, so I was able to set up a personal hotspot in the room.
The continental breakfast sets you up nicely for the day. I’m always one for eating out when I’m travelling, so we didn’t take any self-catering provisions with us. The hostel offers a simple but sufficient breakfast for £5.95, which is served between 08.00 – 09.00. I had a cup of tea, toast with cheese & ham, yoghurt, a banana, and a muffin for the road!
MY PRIVATE DORM
I stayed in a spacious private dorm room with bunk beds. There were lockers and coat hooks for storing my things, and I had the windows open the whole time thanks to the surprisingly glorious weather. The room didn’t have an en-suite, but I did have a sink with a mirror, and the toilets/showers were just a short walk down the hall. I’m used to glamping – so this wasn’t an issue whatsoever!
The room had pretty, bay windows, with a side-on view of the surrounding hills. There was also a desk and chair in front of a separate window, where I could pretend to be super-productive, when I was actually fixated on the scenery outside, and the tide slowly drifting back into the bay. I slept well, and woke to the melodic squawk of the birds outside.
- Prices start from £13 for a bed in a shared dorm or £38 for a private double/twin with a bathroom
- To check availability or book click here
Tips for Staying at Lochranza Youth Hostel
- Lochranza is 14 miles from the main village of Brodick, and it’s on the local bus route. You can find information on how to travel to the island, and how to get around when you’re there in my guide to Arran.
- If you’re travelling in peak season, be sure to book in advance – as the hostel does get fully booked.
There are no shops in Lochranza, so If you’re travelling on the Ardrossan to Brodick Ferry, pick up any supplies that you need from the big Tesco in Ardrossan or the COOP in Brodick. - The front door is locked after 10pm, so if you decide to go out and experience the local ‘culture’ until after this time – make sure you have your key!
- On the subject of keys, don’t keep your key card next to your mobile phone, as this can stop it from working.
- When you’re checking out of the hostel, be an awesome person and take your towels and bedding down to the laundry basket in reception.
- If you get caught in the rain, take advantage of the hostel’s drying room and hairdryers in the washrooms.
THINGS TO DO IN LOCHRANZA
1) Try an epic sandwich at The Sandwich Station
Just across the street from the Lochranza Ferry Terminal, is a much-loved takeaway serving the best sandwiches ever. The Sandwich Station is housed within the village’s old Fire Station building, and it’s a firm favourite with both locals and visitors as they arrive or depart. First, you choose your handmade bread from Blackwater Bakehouse, then it’s all about the filling. The ingredients are all locally sourced – and delicious. I had sticky, smoky pork belly with wild garlic sauerkraut on walnut bread. It was epic!
While I was waiting on my food, I was so sad to read that one of the owners has been deported to her home in South Africa, despite having lived on Arran since 2015 – and running this brilliant wee business with her British husband. He had simply been told to join her on the other side of the world! You can read the full story here and please sign the petition to show your support here.
2) Sample the island’s single malt at Isle of Arran Distillery
You can’t visit Arran and not pay a visit to its best/only distillery! The quality of single malt whisky is very much a reflection of the environment where it is produced, and Arran has it all; a unique microclimate, the freshest of air, and an abundance of natural water. Island whiskies are typically characterised by their peaty flavour, but Arran doesn’t do things like everyone else! The distillery has won awards for its visitor experience, and the location has to be one of the best in Scotland. If whisky isn’t your thing, I highly recommend trying the Arran Gold Cream Liqueur. It’s heavenly when drizzled on ice-cream!
- There are a range of daily tours on offer, starting from £10 (The Standard Distillery Tour)
- If you arrive between tours or don’t have time to do a full tour, you can order a Whisky Flight in CASKS Café upstairs. I compared tasting notes on the Arran 10, Arran 14 and Arran 18 while nibbling on oatcakes for a very reasonable £12.50
3) Photograph the ruins of Lochranza Castle
When it comes to ruined buildings, Lochranza Castle is looking damn fine for its age. Built as a tower house with maximum security features, the castle has a history which goes back to the 13th century. It’s amazing when you consider how long something has been a feature on the landscape. Frozen in time, the castle remains stuck and still, as modern island life thrives around it. You can have a peek inside, then spend the next hour photographing it from different angles to see what looks best. Not speaking from personal experience or anything.
4) Watch the resident deer roam around Lochranza Golf Course
Lochranza has an abundance of red deer, and one of the best places to spot them is on the golf course of all places! In the evenings, you’ll see lots of these beautiful creatures grazing on the grass. At first glimpse of them, the stags we saw were so still they didn’t look real – until they moved!
The golf course is also home to the award-winning Stag’s Pavilion restaurant. The menu had my mouth watering, but unfortunately it was fully booked for the duration of my most recent visit – which is a testament to its popularity! I’ll be sure to reserve a table way in advance for my next trip.
5) Have a drink with the locals at Lochranza Hotel, Country Inn
If you’re not having a few beers in the lounge at the hostel, then the only place to be is here! This unassuming wee watering hole has an even mix of locals and visitors. There’s a beer garden on the lawn at the front, and the interior is distinctly old-school with simple brown décor. Exactly the type of island pub I like to end up in! The bar has an impressive range of whiskies, including the owner’s very bottling from the distillery which is 52% alcohol! For once, I added some water to my dram and it was a fine dram at that. You can also order decent, no-frills pub grub. I can personally vouch for the venison and redcurrant pie.
6) Stretch your legs on a walk from Lochranza
My favourite way to explore the islands is on foot. Walking in the outdoors has so many benefits for your mental and physical health, and the scenery will always keep you thoroughly entertained. There are various walks which begin from in and around Lochranza, or you could walk the Arran Coastal Path from Sannox to Lochranza, which is considered one of the prettiest sections on the route. It’s on my list!
