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
Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
National Wallace Monument wins Frankenstein approval from renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro made a personal visit to The National Wallace Monument before deciding to cast the iconic Stirling landmark in his new movie ‘Frankenstein’.
READ MORE
Time to Nominate Outstanding Companies for the 2026 Stirling Business Awards
The public has just two weeks left to nominate outstanding independent retailers for Go Forth Stirling BID’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORE
Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
The Christmas tradition of the year is back...
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland Meats Germany
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Sterling Home brings festive cheer with heartfelt Christmas donation
Leading furniture retailer Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a generous donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Have your say on new active travel project for south of Stirling city centre
People are being encouraged to have their say in the second stage of a consultation on four proposed active travel routes for the south of Stirling city centre.
READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice
Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.
READ MORE
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
No tricks, just treats at Thistles Stirling this Halloween
Thistles, Stirling is set to host a spooky spectacular at the shopping centre this October half term.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign
Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!
READ MORE
Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced
Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!
READ MORE
Dobbies donates Christmas trees to local communities
Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.
READ MORE
Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir
Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.
READ MORE
First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards
Amy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!
READ MORE
Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History
Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.
READ MORE
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign
The Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links