Hostelling Scotland

Hostelling Scotland (SYHA; Gaelic: Comann Osdailean Òigridh na h-Alba) is part of Hostelling International and provides youth hostel accommodation in Scotland.[3] As of January 2022 the organisation represents 58 hostels: 31 run by Hostelling Scotland and 27 affiliates.[2]

Hostelling Scotland
AbbreviationHostelling Scotland (HS)
Formation1931 (1931)
TypeScottish Charity SC013138
Legal statusCompany limited by guarantee SC310841
PurposeAccommodation and advancement of education[1]
HeadquartersStirling, Scotland
Location
  • 58 hostels (31 HS, 27 affiliates)[2]
Region served
Scotland
Membership
Decrease 12,840 (2018)
Official language
English, Gaelic
Chairman
Sally Mayer
Chief Executive
Margo Paterson
AffiliationsHostelling International
Revenue
Decrease £8,650,464 (18/19)
Staff
166 Low Season
252 High Season (18/19)
Volunteers
122 (18/19)
WebsiteHostelling Scotland

History

The organisation was founded in 1931 as the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA).

In 1938, there were more than 60 hostels and membership was approaching 20,000.[4] At its peak, the SYHA had 99 hostels; by 1995 this had reduced to 85.[5]

In 2013, around 60% of guests came from outwith Scotland.[1]

As of 2016, the hostel guide and website lists over 60 hostels,[3] 28 of which are independently owned affiliate hostels such as those of the Gatliff Hebridean Hostel Trust and various local communities and authorities. Hostels vary from modern purpose-built premises to historic buildings and country cottages, sited in major towns and cities and in rural locations, including remote islands.[6]

Tourist sign used to indicated location of a Youth Hostel

Accommodation is generally dormitory-style but increasingly this is being subdivided into smaller units. For example, the most modern hostel, Edinburgh Central, has many single and twin-bedded rooms with ensuite facilities. All have a lounge, shared bathrooms and self-catering kitchens. Many hostels provide meals at request.

Hostelling Scotland is a self-funding charitable organisation, and as a not-for-profit business invests all surplus back into the organisation, both to develop the network and to improve older hostels. Today it faces competition from the more numerous independent hostels, and from rural hotels which provide bunkhouse accommodation.

It has been claimed that it has left its roots as a working class movement to "provide accommodation to people of limited means" behind, and become too expensive. The SYHA's defenders, including Allan Wilson MSP, point out that hostellers today require higher levels of comfort than when the hostelling movement began.[7]

The organisation later became SYHA Hostelling Scotland, then in 2018, the organisation rebranded as Hostelling Scotland, dropping the SYHA from their name.[8]

References
  1. "About SYHA | SYHA Hostelling Scotland". Syha.org.uk. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  2. "Hostelling Scotland > Search by". hostellingscotland.org.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  3. "About SYHA". SYHA Hostelling Scotland. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  4. "Youth Hostels in Scotland". The Herald. Glasgow. 16 June 1938. p. 10. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  5. Hume, George (22 July 1995). "Youth hostels pack up their troubles". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  6. Hostel Guide 2018, Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  7. "motion S1M-1829 Official report 9 May 2001". Scottish Parliament. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  8. "Our New Brand Identity | Hostelling Scotland" (Press release). February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018.

Source material
  • Martin, John (2012). An Illustrated Survey of SYHA's Youth Hostels 1931-2011. Stirling: SYHA.
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