Frequently Asked Questions
Have the hostels hot water ?
Answer: Yes all the hostels have hot water from instantaneous heaters. All showers are heated by electric heaters
Have the kitchens cutlery ?
Yes, all the hostels have cutlery and crockery, saucepans and basic kitchen equipment, gas rings and micro-wave ovens.
How can we pay at the hostels ? Are credit cards accepted ?
We take cash and cheques (made payable to GHHT or Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust). Credit cards are not accepted.
Banks have auto-tellers in the islands, at the following locations: Balavanich, Isle of Benbecula; Lochmaddy, North Uist; Tarbet, Harris; Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. There may also be one at Lochboisdale, South Uist (Royal Bank of Scotland) but check beforehand.
Is it possible to camp near the hostels ?
Camping: It is possible to camp at or near all our hostels and use all the hostel facilities for an overnight fee of £4.50 per person.
Camper Vans: It is possible to park a camper van near some of our hostels. As with all campers, hostel facilities are available for £4.50 per person.
Campers and Camper Van owners are asked to consider the views of the local community when choosing their pitch. If there is space, it is possible to camp inside the hostel grounds, but campers pitching elsewhere must be sure that they have permssion to do so.
Hostel by hostel the position is:
Berneray: It is not possible
to park a camper van at or near this hostel.
Howmore: There is a car park just outside the church (50 m from back door of the hostel)
Garenin: There is a car park at the top of the village.
Rhenigidale: It is possible to park on the road just outside the hostel.
No advanced bookings ?
"I am travelling around the islands and want to book beds at each of your hostels."
"What is your bed availability in June/next week/next month ?"
Answer from GHHT
We take no bookings at any of our four hostels (Berneray, Garenin, Howmore or Rhenigidale) but because of their remoteness it is unlikely that you will be turned away. The hostels are used almost entirely by independent travellers. For this reason it is impossible to many any predictions about future usage.
Annual usage figures are available, and may provide some guide to usage.
The hostels are renovated croft houses, three of which are thatched Hebridean cottages. They are available every day of the year. Their doors are always open. Details of the facilities at each of the hostels can be found on this web site.
The hostels are provided to allow all, but especially young people of limited means, to come to know the islands, their people and culture, natural environment and crofting economy.
Young children ?
"I am travelling with two young children, one of whom is a baby aged 18 months. What facilities are available at your hostels ?"
Answer from GHHT
For practical reasons, and the well being of the children themselves, it is not possible to accommodate children under 5 years of age. No special facilities are available.
The hostels cater mainly for independent travellers travelling alone or with one or two companions. They are small. Sleeping accommodation is all in dormitories. Garenin and Howmore have two dormitories. Berneray and Rhenigidale have three dormitories. Unfortunately there is no dedicated family accommodation. Nor is there any 'lights out' rule.
For these reasons the hostels are not considered suitable for young children. For purposes of definition we define 'young' as under 5 years of age.
Dogs ?
"I am travelling with a small dog, can he stay with me in the hostel ?"
Answer from GHHT
For practical reasons hostellers with dogs are not to allow them into the hostel. All hostels have communal kitchen and eating facilities for self-catering. All sleeping accommodation is in dormitories. Other hostellers may object to the presence of a dog.
Bedding ?
"Is linen provided at the hostels ? We are travelling light and want to minimise the amount we carry."
Answer from GHHT
Sleeping accommodation at all the hostels is provided in dormitories. All hostels have bunk beds, mattresses, pillows and duvets. Sheet sleeping bags can be hired at the hostel (£1.50).
All hostels now have heating !
Long-standing hostellers may remember a day when the standard advice was to take a quilted sleeping bag. A lot of travellers still use quilted and hooded bags, but the improved facilities no longer make this a necessity.
However you have to take your own towels.
Tea-towels are provided in the kitchen.
Groups or Parties ?
"I am looking for accommodation for a party of ten people on tour in the islands."
Answer from GHHT
Sadly, it is unlikely that our hostels can provide this type of accommodation. The hostels are used almost entirely by independent travellers. All are small, renovated croft houses. This should not, however, deter a party from visiting the islands. Other modestly-priced accommodation is available in the islands which welcomes groups on tour.
Diiscuss travel plans with the Western Isles Tourist Board who is well placed to help. Their web site is www.witb.co.uk
Late arrivals at Lochboisdale ?
"I am arriving at Lochboisdale on the ferry from Oban/Castlebay at about 10.30 p.m. and want to stay at Howmore".
Answer from GHHT
The doors of our hostels never close. However, please bear in mind that other hostellers may be sleeping so please approach the buildings and enter the place with the minimum of noise.
Bus timetables ?
"I am travelling around the islands. Are there buses ?"
Answer from GHHT
There is a comprehensive bus service in the islands, but no Sunday service.
Details of island bus timetable can be obtained by contacting the Islands’ Council, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar at www.cne-siar.gov.uk or the Western Isles Tourist Board www.witb.co.uk.
Bus timetable information can be found on the Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar’s web site or directly through the Links Page on this website.
Hard copies of timetables are available for purchase in the islands and may be available by post. Contact:
Bus Timetables
Technical Services
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
Sandwick Road
STORNOWAY
HS1 2BW
Tel: 01851 703773
Fax: 01851 705349
Some buses take bikes.
Buses on the inter-island north – south link connect with the ferries. In other words ferries wait for the buses and buses wait for the ferries.