We were contacted recently regarding hostel facilities in the Western Isles. Some - but not all - hostels in the islands are run by the Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust.

We thought it might be helpful for members to know a little bit about the facilities on offer by these hostels and the following is a statement by the warden of Gatliffs Garenin hostel on Lewis.

1) We are affiliated to, not run by, SYHA. Their discount cards don't apply with us.

2) We do not have a booking system for any of our hostels. For details of wardens and beds at hostels, please see www.gatliff.co.uk In the interests of reassuring those who worry about getting somewhere to stay in the high season, please be assured that we've never yet turned anyone away and have camp beds and a two man tent available for use should they be required.

3) There are cooking facilities available, as well as a shower room with WC and a separate WC. There are also drying facilities, a solid fuel burner, a microwave, kettle etc. There's no telephone and the nearest point for a mobile signal is on the hill to the rear of the hostel building or in the carpark. There are handwashing facilities, but no machine.

4) The terrain here varies immensely from season to season. Tracks that may be easily passable during the drier months of the year can be treacherous bogs through other seasons. Maps are, generally, not a great deal of use in deciding whether a path may be passable or not. It's always best to ask someone local for up to date information. If it would be helpful, I can ask a coastguard colleague of my husband for off road track information and pass it along to you.

Anyone who has questions to ask or would like further information is welcome to call or email me. We have a fair few cyclists through the hostels over the course of the summer and it's a very good way to see the islands. One last piece of information that cyclists in particular are usually interested in; the bus drivers here are a fantastic bunch and are usually happy to have cyclists aboard and their bikes in the luggage compartment :)

November 2009

Please note that the RSF can neither endorse, or otherwise, the facilities provided in the hostels and we merely pass on the comments we received.