Latest Updates
In Dublin's Fair City .... Fairly-Priced Accommodation
City accommodation anywhere is not priced as the Gatliff Hostels. It can be expensive. Take a look at this site - www.dublinhostels.org - and the range of hostels that are available for those wanting to explore the vibarant capital of the Irish Republic.
Sail in Style with Northern Light Charters
Northern Light Charters has a new vessel about to enter service. It's the motor yacht, Zuza, and it will certainly take advantage of the winds that feature in the bays, waters and seas of the West of Scotland. Take a look at the company on www.northernlight-uk.com
Austrian Adventures
For information about some fine looking hostels in Vienna and Salzburg, do go to
www.strawberryhostels.com
and you will not be disappointed. They are so different from the Gatliff hostels, but then they reflect leading city cultures rather than rural island life.
Postellers are for Young Hostellers
The website of the YHA has an imaginative and informative area about its innovative section for the young who are seeking activities and adventures. Do take a look at:
http://www.yha.org.uk/activities/for-young-people/index.aspx#tcm-8-710
The Strangeway could be the new Munro
The endurance of Yorkshireman, Andy Strangeway, is remarkable. In 2003 he decided to spend at least one night, preferably asleep, on each of Scotland's 162 islands of over 40 hectares. When Soay, in the St Kilda Group, was both scrambled on and slept on in August 2007, then his tally was complete. There are many people who aspire to the peaks of Munros, Corbetts, Donaldsons and Marilyns. Will there be those inspired to make it to the regular and remote islands and aim to make the total Stangeway count ? At least start by accessing www.island-man.co.uk
Go High ... and Get Remote
Skiddaw House, 1550' above sea level and three miles from the road, in the Lake District will be re-opening - as a bunkhouse - on 6 April 2007 . It will be operated by Martin (warden there in its YHA days from 1992 - 2000) and Marie. The Skiddaw House Foundation has been formed and is currently seeking charitable status. Discussions have commenced with the YHA with a view to Skiddaw House becoming part of their network as an enterprise operation. There's certainly a Gatliff resonance about this, but here's a place that you can book in advance. It's just as well for there is no alternative accommodation ... locally! Take a look via www.skiddawhouse.co.uk
Now is the Time ...
... to look at our Forum, perhaps to make a contribution, and then to see whether you have photos suitable for our Gallery. Make this site one with which you feel an affinity and through which, via our News-feed, you can keep up-to-date with recent local events.
Hidden Europe
Make sure that this website www.hiddeneurope.co.uk makes an impact on your mind. For you will be directed to all sorts of places in all parts of Europe. Our hostels have much in common with many other geographical and social features in 'being off the beaten track'.
Reinigeadal Insights
Ben Buxton has an interesting article that appears in the current issue of Scottish Islands Explorer and which features the remote village of Reinigeadal on North Harris. Many hostellers will be intrigued to learn of its history, settlement pattern and response to the coming of the road in 1989. For details of the publication, go to www.scottishislandsexplorer.com
Getting Around the Islands
The well-known broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch, recently cycled along the chain of Western Isles and presented her findings, opinions and encounters with individuals in a series of radio programmes. These are featured on her website www.lesleyriddoch.com and details of her visit to our Berneray hostel are included.
Islands Matter
The Islands Book Trust is based in Lewis, but is interested primarily in the whole Western Isles chain and secondarily in island communities wherever they are to be found. The publications, lectures and visits presented and organised by this group needs to be seen as a prelude to stimulation. Take a closer look at what they offer - particularly in their 2007 Programme as well as in archive material - by accessing www.theislandsbooktrust.com
Canadian Connections
The author and illustrator, Neil Pinkett, whose book Walks from the Gatliff Hostel at Reinigeadal continues to direct visitors to many fascinating local places, lives in Canada and together with his wife, Krista Reich, maintains the website www.foliateface.ca His interests and her work as a maker of histrorical costumes and dolls are featured.
Get the Word out by the Network
The new design to this website needs to be seen by more people and could well attract more to the Outer Hebrides. Please email your friends and tell them to take a look. This feature has become our most successful means of advertising and it's both effective and inexpensive.
Looking for Warmth ?
It may be a long way to travel to the western shores of Lewis, but the Gatliff Hostel at Garenin, with its thermal heating, is one of the warmest places around. Despite the attractions of 'heat from the gneiss', there should be vacancies there in the Winter and Spring months.
The Timeless Way
Peter Clarke's new book The Outer Hebrides The Timeless Way is featured in the current newsletter and certainly deserves a wide audience. It traces a 230-mile route through parts of the Islands where relatively few men and women have set foot, ever. Explore for yourself, at least through his pages ! More details and a way of purchasing are also available through www.outerhebridesway.org
A Focus and a Forum
Do take a visit to a finely-constructed website www.lonely-isles.com where the abandoned and sparsely-populated islands of Scotland are put into clear focus. The forum that brings together the views of interested parties presents an opportunity to spread knowledge and give new perspectives.
Possibly the Last Mainland Wilderness
The 'Rough Bounds of Knoydart' carries myths, legends and thousands of years of history. It is also quite difficult to reach despite being part of the UK mainland. The Friends of Knoydart endeavour to protect and shape this special place and aspects of their work is evident via www.knoydart-foundation.com
Take a Trip
The photographer, Charles Twist, whose work features on the front cover of the current issue of Hebridean Hostellers, travels widely and you can see where he goes and what he records by visiting his website www.chtwist.com Get introduced through his landscapes.
Links to Other Sites of Interest
| Caledonian MacBrayne | The Ways and Means of Reaching the Islands |
| SYHA | Scottish Youth Hostels Association |
| Western Isles Tourist Board | All Manner of Information for the Traveller |
| West Highland Free Press | Distinctive News and Views of the North-West of Scotland |
| Some Pictures | Sights and Insights |
| Tourist Issues | Read about Tourism throughout Scotland |
| Bus Services | Timetables for the hostels and all parts of the the Islands |
| To the Remoter Parts | Visits to islands throughout the Hebrides by Northern Lights |
| The Butt and Beyond | Discoveries and Displays of the Ness Historical Society |
| Islands Book Trust | Books, Displays, Events, Conferences on Scottish Themes |
| Stornoway Gazette | The Hostels' Local Newspaper |
| Captured and Captivating | Inspired Photography that has Featured in our Newsletters |
| Bill Lawson Publications | History, Genealogy, Events, Walks ... and More |
| Seallam! Visitor Centre | Look at, into and back at the life and times of the Isle of Harris |
| Campsites in the Islands & Beyond | Full Details and Assessments of Campsites throughout Scotland |
| Scottish Islands Explorer | A Fine Bi-monthly Publication that Features Many Interesting Islands |
| Natural Friends | Similar People; Comparable Interests |
| Berneray | Invaluable Information about a Compelling Island with its own Gatliff Hostel |
| Let the Journey Begin ... | Community website design & maintenance on the Uistsg3 |