The Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) offer hostel accommodation – and a range of activity holidays. I chose to highlight some of the active trips for a recent Sunday Mail column. Read the pdf or see the article in full below.
#syhadventure in 2017
A travel survey has revealed that more than two-thirds of people plan to try something new when booking their holidays in 2017.
And according to the TripAdvisor trends research, 15 per cent of travellers also hope to try adventure travel for the first time.
In a bid to capitalise on the more adventurous holidaymaker, SYHA Hostelling Scotland has launched a year of activity breaks.
The budget accommodation provider has joined forces with activity companies to create a range of holidays to appeal to a variety of outdoor enthusiasts looking for that new, exciting and achievable adventure.
The SHYA holidays include Munro bagging, west coast island hopping, long-distance trail walking and a creative craft and walking weekend.
Five active holidays for 2017
Here are five SYHA activity breaks to choose from:
Walks, tales and crafts
In March, a weekend of crafts, light walking and story telling at the remote Loch Ossian hostel will be run in partnership with professional storyteller, harpist and crafter Claire Hewitt.
You’ll knit or crochet your own hand-warmers in the evenings as Claire spins a yarn or two.
A “story walk” around Loch Ossian will offer the opportunity to create a unique pair of felt slippers from wool fleece, which will then be decorated back at the hostel.
When?: March 24 to 26.
Grade: Beginner to advanced
Terrain: Light walking on sometimes uneven terrain.
Price: £175 per person.
Handful of Islands
Based at Oban Youth Hostel, you can visit five islands in four days, including Kerrera, Lismore, Luing, Mull and Iona.
The easy-paced strolling will allow you to absorb the character, views and atmosphere of each west coast island.
C-N-Do Scotland guides will lead the daily walks.
When?: April 12 to 17; October 1 to 6.
Grade: New comers and intermittent exercisers.
Terrain: Flattish or mildly undulating and mostly paths.
Price: £635 per person
The mighty Skye Munros
Stay at Glenbrittle Youth Hostel and explore the stunning Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye.
The aim, depending on the weather, is to summit all of the ridge Munros, including the so-called Inaccessible Pinnacle, with the guidance of expert George Yeomans.
The week will help you to build mountain walking confidence, improve your skills and offer an unique experience of the Cuillin.
There is a maximum of four people on each trip.
When?: Seven-night trips in May, July and August
Grade: Good level of mountain walking fitness and a head for heights.
Terrain: Steep and rugged.
Price: £649 per person.
Nevis Sea to Summit
Between Loch Nevis and Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, lies a string of interlinking wild routes that offer a great walking challenge.
Using two hostels, at Mallaig and Glen Nevis, the seven-day trip includes a boat journey to the head of the loch before a hike through stunning wilderness. The final hike is an ascent of Ben Nevis.
When: June and September.
Grade: Suited to regular hill walkers and good fitness is required.
Terrain: Mix of path and off-trail.
Price: £899 per person
Hike to Cape Wrath
An eight-day walking trip heads from the north-west fishing town of Ullapool to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the mainland.
Alongside guides from C-N-Do Scotland you’ll explore Coigach, Assynt and Sutherland, before reaching Cape Wrath where you will find Sandwood Bay.
Along with way you will be able to take in towering, strangely shaped mountains, sea stacks, precipitous cliffs that are home to countless birds and weathered moorland.
When: July 15 to 22.
Grade: Fit novices and regular hill walkers.
Terrain: Varied paths and rough un-pathed hillsides.
Price: £960 per person.
For more information see SYHA trips.