Scottish youth hostelling charity launches initiative reviving funded breaks for disadvantaged young people and families
An organisation that runs youth hostels across Scotland is launching an initiative to provide free stays for disadvantaged young people and families.
Article Source: Hostelling Scotland
Last Updated: 24 March 2025 12:29
Hostelling Scotland, a registered charity with 29 youth hostels and 24 affiliate hostels across the country, has created Happy Hosteller Breaks as part of its longstanding commitment to supporting young people and communities.
The launch coincides with the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of Covid-19, which stymied the charity’s income and consequently restricted its youth action work.
Happy Hosteller marks the revival of its flagship residential programme, and comes after Hostelling Scotland funded more than 200 residential trips over the past decade, helping at least 6,000 people access unforgettable experiences.
The new initiative resumes this activity, supported by membership contributions and donations, and aimed at organisations such as schools, early years centres, registered charities in Scotland working with disadvantaged youngsters and families, and other youth groups.
Specific target groups include people living in areas of deprivation, young people receiving free school meals, young carers, refugee and migrant groups, young people in the care system or care leavers, LGBTQ+ support groups, and young people and families who have never had a residential experience due to cost or other barriers. The age range for youth groups is six to 25 years. Applications are open to youth groups, schools, early years centres and charitable organisations working with young people and families.
Applications open on March 24 and close on May 9 2025 for breaks taking place between September 2025 and June 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by June 6 2025.
Hostelling Scotland aims with Happy Hosteller Breaks to support and empower participants in accessing, and appreciating Scotland’s countryside, environment, natural heritage, and places of historic and cultural interest.
It also wishes to encourage initiatives that align with its values in promoting recreation, education, health, social responsibility, and inclusion.
Funding is being provided across three key categories:
• Nature & Environment – Explore Scotland’s landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems.
• Culture & Historic Heritage – Discover the Scottish stories and cultural gems.
• Wellness & Play – Engage in physical and fun activities that promote health and self-discovery.
Relevant groups can apply to stay at one of over twenty hostels across Scotland, from the mountainous Cairngorm Lodge to the coastal Lochranza Youth Hostel on Arran. It’s not just about the great outdoors though, with groups also encouraged to apply for stays in Scotland’s vibrant cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Successful applicants will be given a stay of one to two nights, for groups numbering five to 25 participants plus leaders. While some catering is on offer, groups are also encouraged to consider cooking at least one meal themselves, to help young people develop their skills.
Accommodation will be in shared private rooms for young people with separate rooms for leaders, and bigger groups can be considered for Rentahostel funding, comprising the sole use of a whole hostel with no catering.
Hostelling Scotland since its formation in 1931 has aimed to make more of Scotland more accessible to more people than anyone else. As well as funded breaks for youth groups, the charity provides breaks for unpaid carers in partnership with Shared Care Scotland’s Respitality Project. It fosters an inclusive environment where guests feel welcomed, regardless of their culture, language, or background.
Heather Donald, who benefited from funded breaks previously, said: "Some of my happiest memories are from hostel trips in Scotland as a young person. They gave me a break from home, a chance to bond with friends in nature, and try new activities like hill walking, climbing, and canoeing: things I wouldn’t have experienced in my city.
These trips also helped me develop leadership skills and earn awards like the Dynamic Youth Award. The chance to gain accredited awards on these residential with my youth club were so important to me during my teenage years and really helped me get to where I am on my journey today. I am now proudly employed at the club that gave me all of these opportunities. It’s amazing that more young people will now get the chance to experience this too."
Youth Worker Connor McKee for Royston Youth Action Glasgow has said: “We have had the privilege of accessing the funds in the past for our young people on several occasions. We always chose the Aviemore Youth Hostel in the autumn as its picturesque location is so beautiful and it also allowed us easy access to surrounding activities and adventures that await.”
“We had built up a great relationship with the staff at the time and really loved bringing our young folks along, some of them who had only left the city for the first time and seen the highlands.”
“We are really happy to hear that the fund is coming back and look forward to hopefully returning to Aviemore one day soon to make more fantastic memories and provide more amazing life changing experiences for our young people.”
Youth Engagement Coordinator at Hostelling Scotland, Agathe Le Quere said: “We are very happy to launch the Happy Hosteller initiative, marking a significant milestone with the revival of our charitable support, something that has been a core part of our ethos from the get-go.
“Having previously offered funded breaks to those in need, we’ve seen how beneficial they are to participants, offering a change of scenery from what can be very challenging circumstances in welcoming accommodation in the best locations across Scotland.
“We’ve seen young people thrive in nature and interact with peers during such trips, which we feel are even more crucial in the wake of the pandemic and as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect those from disadvantaged communities the most.
“Happy Hosteller underpins our core belief that hostelling isn’t just a place to stay – it can bring about real positive impact in communities. We believe in creating meaningful connections, allowing guests to experience the spirit of hostelling and become a part of our vibrant community.”
For more information, see www.hostellingscotland.org.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Secret New Tours at Stirling Castle offer behind the scenes access
Secret Stirling Tours – a new bespoke tour of Stirling Castle – launches today (Monday 15 September) giving visitors exclusive access to areas of the site that are normally closed to the public.
READ MORE
Local runner swaps sneakers for shackles in spooky Stirling shopping centre sleepover
A Stirling local is set to spend the night in one of the city’s most unusual, and eerie, locations to raise vital funds for children across the world.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
Find your next business opportunity at Forth Valley Meet the Real Buyer event
Local businesses and social enterprises across the Forth Valley are being invited to explore supply chain opportunities in a free-to-attend event at Alloa Town Hall.
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
Fair Trade Stirling going the distance in cycling fundraiser for Malawi
Fair Trade Stirling is holding a sponsored bike ride to raise money for its long-term partners in the Karonga District of Malawi.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Go Forth Stirling Launch 2026 Business Awards
Stirling’s outstanding independent and national retailers are set to be recognised and rewarded at the city’s 2026 Business Awards.
READ MORE
Drop in sessions begin on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling
Businesses, visitors and residents are urged to feedback on Stirling’s draft Visitor Levy scheme as drop-in sessions begin.
READ MORE
Fresh new line up for one of the biggest FREE food and drink festivals in Scotland
Vikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MORE
From pouring pints to the red carpet: The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 crowns its hospitality stars!
The winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MORE
Stirling Photography Festival goes Beyond with exhibitions across Stirlingshire
The Stirling Photography Festival is proud to announce the launch of a series of exhibitions in rural Stirling as part of their 2025 programme.
READ MORE
Stirling marks 30th Anniversary of Braveheart
Braveheart continues to be a huge draw for visitors to Scotland as Stirling prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oscar-winning epic.
READ MORE
Best Croissant Competition returns for 2025
The Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MORE
New Forth Valley Five Campaign Launches to Champion Local Food and Drink
Businesses across Stirling and beyond are being invited to take the ‘Forth Valley Five’ pledge: a bold new initiative designed to celebrate local food and drink and boost community wealth.
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland launches Talking About Heritage
People across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.
READ MORE
Clans @ The Croft team mountain bike enduro event returns
A multiple Clan skirmish of epic proportions is on the cards again for mountain bike Enduro riders when Clans @ The Croft, the first team event on the UK's Enduro calendar, returns to Creiff.
READ MORE
Tickets now on sale for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.
READ MORE
Call for sites and ideas for new Local Development Plan in Stirling
Residents, community groups and other key stakeholders will have the opportunity to shape Stirling’s future as the consultation on the area’s new Local Development Plan enters crucial new phase.
READ MORE
Primark celebrates 50 years in Scotland with a wee nod to loyal Scots in all stores today
Scottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.
READ MORE
Christmas at Crieff Hydro returns with magical line up of festive activities
Scotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.
READ MORE
Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled
The shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn wins double gold at the World Beer Awards 2025
Innis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links