With its friendly crofter communities, live Gaelic culture and a unique environment the Outer Hebrides are a fascinating place for travellers young and old. The islands provide a habitat for seals, deer and otters, eagles and gannets, other rare birds and an abundance of rare plants.
Urras Osdailean Nan Innse Gall Gatliff (The Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust) is a 'not for profit' voluntary organisation with charitable status working with islanders to establish and maintain a chain of Crofters' Hostels to sound basic standards throughout the Hebrides. It aims to provide hostellers with the opportunity to get to know the communities, their language and culture, the scenery and natural environment of the islands.
The Crofters' Hostels are independent of the SYHA, but have adopted status. However, facilities are more basic and simpler than the usual youth hostel. Winter visitors must be prepared to accept some discomfort as only one of the four hostels is centrally heated.
The principle activity of the trust is to help all, especially young persons of limited means, to a greater knowledge and respect for the islands within the western coastal waters and sea of Scotland. This is achieved by providing or assisting local people to provide accommodation.
The Trust is currently involved in the operation of four youth hostels situated at Berneray (Isle of North Uist), Garenin (Isle of Lewis), Howmore (Isle of South Uist) and Rhenigidale (Isle of Harris). The trust was specifically set up to run the Hebridean activities of The Gatliff Trust founded by Herbert Gatliff in 1961.
The Trust was incorporated on the 10th June 1988 as a company limited by guarantee and registered at Companies House, Edinburgh. The Trust has been granted exemption from corporation tax by the Inland Revenue on the grounds that its objectives are charitable.