The 'NEWS' page

Just a quick email to say thank you for the hospitality you showed us when we came to stay this week.  Although we didn't have ideal skiing and boarding conditions, we still had a great time in Newtonmore celebrating the New Year. Your hostel is lovely and suited us really well.  It's clean, well equipped and full of helpful information (the Chinese takeaway menu was particularly useful on Wednesday!) Thanks again!

Lindsay and Stu Bailes (and everyone else) - January 2008

Phone - 01540 673360

pete@HighlandHostel.co.uk

Now We are Ten!

The joiner has been and cut up the 'platform bunks' so now we can sleep a maximum of 10. The 'wee room' is still the same but each of the larger rooms now has only four beds. One bunk in each room is a single on top and a double below. We feel this will give a much more comfortable stay for all of our customers.

Prices have been 'tweaked' but we are sure guests will appreciate the increased comfort and space (better pictures coming soon).

04/08

Bedding

We have now pirchased some new sleeping sheets (of a different design) which will give customers a more comfortable nights sleep. All beds will be made up in advance and we ask all customers to use the bedding provided and leave your own sleeping bag in the car (or rucsac)

04/08

Found

We have found a memory stick in one of the bedrooms. It contains lots of pictures. If you want to claim it get in touch and tell us some of the locations of the pictures and we will post it back to you

04/08

MAY

This is an April picture, May one coming soon!

The snow covered hills taken from underneath the Wade Bridge on the Corrieyairack Pass.

Day Use

Staying at the hostel gives unrestricted use of all the facilities from 3pm on the day of arrival until 11am on the day of departure.  It may be possible to use the hostel outwith these times; please ask.

If you are waiting for transport (bus/train/lift) and the wait is less than two hours it is usually OK to wait in the hostel, make a drink, and use the toilet for no extra charge.  If you do this, please make sure there is minimum impact on the hostel; we need it to remain clean and tidy for the next guests e.g. please use only one toilet. Your bedroom must be completely vacated and your belongings packed.

If you want to stay for longer than two hours, have a shower, cook a meal and/or light the fire then there is a day charge of £5 per person.

Day use is dependent on someone being available to check and maybe clean the hostel after you’ve gone and the arrival / departure plans of other groups.  There are times when day use is simply NOT be possible.

It is important that you speak to us if you want to return after check-out time, especially if you are traveling on the London Sleeper or a late bus.   Arriving off the Sleeper at 7.30am does not entitle you to claim your bed in the morning when you have booked for that night; there will probably be someone in it when you arrive.  Similarly, it may not be possible for you to hang around the hostel all evening while you are waiting for the sleeper train home.

It is almost always possible to leave luggage (at your own risk) and go out again if your travelling times don’t fit our check-in/out times, but, again, please speak to one of us.

01/08

Smaller Groups

Changes in booking arrangements  mean you can now book exclusive use of the hostel for a much smaller group; for example, a group of up to eight could book the whole hostel for £120 per night. We feel sure this option will be popular with smaller clubs and groups who want some peace, quiet and privacy.

Check out our 2008 prices

08/07

Hostel & House For Sale

The property is still for sale but please don't let that put you off booking.  Everyone who has shown serious interest has said that they would continue to run the hostel. If you would like to step into our shoes then contact Masson Cairns of Grantown-on-Spey www.lawscot.com or view the details directly on our own website.

02/08

April 2008 = Early Spring

We have got all the signs of Spring and lots of extra daylight but it is still cold and there is more snow on the hills than there has been for many years. Maximum temps are still below 10c and zero at night. Hard to believe we could easily be jumping into rivers to keep cool in six weeks time, the seasons change fast here.

This has been the best winter since 2002 for activities with some excellent skiing, walking and climbing. During the settled spell even the cycling was good if a bit chilly. The hostel has been busy at weekends, and quiet during the week with the usual groups of walkers and climbers. Bookings are now coming in fast for summer as people plan their holidays.

Drumochter Cycle Route

Read the report before you ride it!!!

07/07

03/07

This is what Spring looks like in Newtonmore

03/07

Hostel Owners Do Stuff As Well

This photo is just to show you that we do occasionally get to do something other than cleaning and running the hostel. It's me, Pete! Finishing the Etape Caledonia in June 2007.

08/06

Newtonmore Highland Games

In 2007 over 3000 people attended the Games on a warm, very windy but dry day.

Why not book for 2008 (Saturday August 2nd)

No Smoking in Newtonmore Hostel

The Smoking, Health and Social Care Act 2005.
The Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006

03/06

WIFI (wireless enabled) Network

If you are bringing a laptop and it is WIFI enabled you can use it in the Hostel to surf the web. Come and ask us for the code, search for available connections and when your computer finds our network, which is called 'NETGEAR' enter the code, click connect and away you go.

01/06

New Year

New Year's Eve Torchlight Procession at Newtonmore

A 2008/09 booking will be accepted after the summer

email Phone 01540 673360