Accommodations For Thrifty Adventures In The Scottish Highlands

There are many low cost accommodation options  in the Scottish Highlands for adventurous tourists and hikers.


Tip:  Time of year  -  If you can do so, avoid the 'high season', which basically runs from June to September.   Outside of this period, there are many more choices, and the prices are lower. Also, air fares are significantly cheaper.

Hostels offer both shared dorms and private rooms.  The advantage of shared dorms is simply that you meet fellow travellers easily and can strike up some interesting friendships.  If you book one of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association hostels , in spite of their name,  you will discover that most of the guests are older, serious hikers and bicyclists and families - surprisingly few 'youths', especially in the off seasons.   If you are more into privacy, the private rooms are just fine too, but a little pricier. These hostels also have good, well equipped self catering kitchens  with fridge space.  So you can save a bundle on eating in.  For those nights you want someone else to cook, they usually offer prepared meals for both meat eaters and vegetarians for a reasonable price.

The hostels have quiet rooms as well as lounges and places to relax.  They may offer bike rentals, lots of advice on hikes and places to visit. All bedding is provided, and sleeping bags are not allowed. Cost:  around $20.00 (Cdn) for dorm bed or $45.00 (Cdn) per private room. Edinburgh and Glasgow are more expensive.
Tips:  limited places to plug your devices in.  Internet available by the hour. Travel with a 'dongle' for your own wifi.  There are a few places where the internet signal is limited or unavailable.

Bed and Breakfasts in Scotland are a booming business,  and prices vary dramatically.  One of the best deals, if you can find one,  are the Airb&b private guest homes.  However, in the Scottish Highlands they are harder to find.  Still, the hosts are generally very professional, welcoming and provide real value for money.  Most homes in Scotland nowadays are much more modern than they might have been twenty years ago, so they offer the same kinds of comforts that typical North Americans are used to. Tip:  before you book, check out as many reviews as you possibly can.  Regular B&B's often  appear on Tripadvisor while Airb&b have their own guest reviews on their site.  As an additional source of accommodations, you might want to check out Undiscovered Scotland, which also provides you valuable information on many of Scotland's smaller villages and towns

House and Pet Sitting
Many people do not know this.  It's as if it was a secret, but there are numerous opportunities on the internet to get free accommodations through house sitting or pet sitting.  I have taken on quite a number of these arrangements, both  in North America and in Europe (including Scotland).  Why look after somebody else's house?  Because accommodation is free.  In exchange, you commit to keeping the place clean and look after their pets.  Not so difficult if you are a pet lover.  It may even provide you with animal companionship on those long hikes.  Check out trustedhousesitters.com