SYHA - ratings, reviews and travel tips!

Carbisdale Castle

5 stars

harry&phyllis brown - Scotland

November 2009

the scenery is wonderful and the staff are great for a laugh.

5 stars

The cat tamer - Scotland

November 2009

A memorable experience! Magnificent building in beautiful setting. Welcoming staff and good food. Wonderful colours and views in Autumn.

5 stars

G - England

November 2009

4.5 stars

Heather - England

November 2009

I took my boys (7) and (10) here for a short break in October and they loved it. Especially the upper gallery where they had great fun with the tennis table and a huge remote landrover my elder son had bought on the way there. Lots of space for them to play with it and still not be in anybody else's way. We self catered but the three course home cooked evening meal is very good value at £9.50 per head. And we had a lovely room with huge windows from which you could see the water. And we were in a real castle!!!

4 stars

Jeysey - England

November 2009

We stayed at the castle for two nights and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Although there were no lockers in the rooms, this was not a problem due to the timing of our stay being at the end of the season. Due to its location, having a car is recommended, but the setting is beautiful and let's face facts- it might be a couple of miles to the nearest open pub and shops, but it's worth it for the opportunity to stay in an authentic Highland castle set amongst scenic forest walks.

4 stars

GvWP - Scotland

November 2009

4 stars

Gersa - Sweden

November 2009

2.5 stars

Ellie Spook - Scotland

October 2009

4.5 stars

af.robinson - England

October 2009

A stunning experience. Walks and rides from the front door and an amazing castle that needs more than one visit to take in.

5 stars

Anttinewby - Scotland

October 2009

3 stars

Sally G - Scotland

October 2009

We would recommend a trip to Dornoch beach while you are in the area.

4 stars

MONDRA - Spain

October 2009

5 stars

SeeSea - Scotland

October 2009

Nice experience staying in a castle with the artwork and sculptures. The following book gives a detailed history of the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland and her castle of Carbisdale ;- "A Prospect of Sutherland" by Gilbert T. Bell

4.5 stars

olivier breton - France

October 2009

5 stars

Nia - Spain

October 2009

FOr me this hostel is the best one of scotland.So i don't have any complain because everything was great

4 stars

chris Palm - Belgium

October 2009

The sleeping room are to great. Rooms for 4 of 6 people would be better.

5 stars

Dave - England

October 2009

Go to falls of shin with a fully charged camera, your photos will be numerous, and some will be worth keeping.

4 stars

Scotty - Netherlands

October 2009

2 stars

Marie - Germany

October 2009

3.5 stars

wal - Australia

October 2009

i would recommend it to anyone traveling in the area. as we stayed there 5 years ago and again this time. i was disipointed to see the discoloration of the statues in this short time and feel that some thing should be done to protect them from people touching them

3 stars

jorbarce - France

October 2009

4 stars

AmberB - Canada

September 2009

Please note that there are not a lot of electical outlets...so it's hard to charge your phone or camera battery!

5 stars

colin - Canada

September 2009

3.5 stars

VERONICA - Spain

September 2009

4 stars

Wet'n'Windy - England

September 2009

Sitting out on the terrace in the sunshine with superb views is really wonderful

5 stars

stevemu - Scotland

September 2009

This hostel certainly lives up to it's reputation , it for sure has the "WOW" factor ......... meals are excelent value and you could spend all day exploring the castle and grounds , then the bike trails etc note however that at present (Sept 09) the local pub is closed so you have a fair trek if you want to go out to eat or drink

5 stars

Zibbs - United States of America

September 2009

I recommend renting a bike, if you don't have one of your own. It is fabulous country and an easy trek into town, with good food and very nice people on the other end!

4 stars

scot_traveller - Germany

September 2009

5 stars

Ricki - Australia

September 2009

4 stars

LLUIS - Spain

September 2009

4.5 stars

ken murphy - England

September 2009

4.5 stars

Stevo - Scotland

September 2009

5 stars

Allan - England

September 2009

4 stars

olga - Spain

September 2009

4.5 stars

piro71 - Germany

September 2009

Nice look over the hills, good for walking and cycling. Great place to stay and a lot to look in the castle.

4 stars

bri9mar - United States of America

September 2009

5 stars

mangoman - Scotland

September 2009

5 stars

Adam - Scotland

September 2009

If you like hostelling then this is one place you really must go to. The atmosphere and setting is second to none. A mighty fine walk over the rail bridge to the pub is also a must (if it's open). Enjoy the experience.

3.5 stars

Hedgehog - England

September 2009

A great place to stay if you want an atmospheric experience and a lovely setting! The facilities are quite basic and the toilets/showers noisy and not in the best of condition, but the evening meals are excellent. The TV is in the same room as the pool table, so be prepared to be vastly disturbed, whichever one you're intending to use. Ignore the posters claiming that a Pine Marten frequents the patio....We asked the kitchen staff and they had seen it once in 5 years ! Apparently the ghost has been seen far more often (Alas, not by us, much to the frustration of our kids, who lurked in the appropriate corridors nightly and never saw a thing). During midge season, come prepared with some "skin so soft" (Avon). It's the best insect deterrent ever created !

5 stars

Reg - Scotland

September 2009

Surely the greatest youth hostel in the world

3 stars

igo - Spain

September 2009

5 stars

jameuan - Scotland

September 2009

On entering our room my nine year old and seven year old grand son,s,commented gran pa , this is like being in the Ritz. all we need is a servant? YOU have one,IT,s MEEE. A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

4 stars

Eliza - England

September 2009

Staying at this castle is an amazing experience - the building and the location are stunning. Allow an hour or two to go for a walk in the grounds when you visit. Earplugs are a good idea if you want a reasonable nights sleep as the 'quiet time' doesn't start until midnight.

5 stars

P and A T - England

September 2009

5 stars

alex - Spain

September 2009

3.5 stars

Dorine - Netherlands

September 2009

3.5 stars

Raphael - Spain

September 2009

3.5 stars

yami - Spain

September 2009

The place is really wonderfull. The castle is very amazing. I recommend to stay several days: you can enjoy the surrounding area thanks to walking paths, and incredible landscapes.

5 stars

Ségo - France

September 2009

5 stars

paul holmes - England

September 2009

Not a traditional hostel in the SYHA sense, but what a building ! You won't forget it.

3.5 stars

jccb72 - Spain

September 2009

2.5 stars

The Dane - Denmark

September 2009

The hostel has got good views and a really nice walk just outside the gates. The food provided for dinner is good - but you might still be hungry afterwards. Be aware that there is a double bed availeble for booking if you want a private room. But only one of the private rooms offer this possibility.

4.5 stars

janerik - Sweden

September 2009

4 stars

Lolo - Spain

September 2009

4 stars

galak - Germany

September 2009

Rent a car and travel around the north! It's great!

5 stars

alfie - England

September 2009

very easy to get to by train but not by bus if by bus you have a 4.5 mile walk

5 stars

Armida - Italy

September 2009

We travelled whit children, and stay at Carbisdale Caste transformed our trip in an very adventury discovering every coins of castel an looking for the gost in the evening time.

5 stars

J.L. - France

September 2009

Superbe

4.5 stars

MarieBé Mandin - France

September 2009

It was a great experience with 3 young children . They were very excited to sleep in a castle, and a big castle. In this youth hostel, Family are welcome . Super ! Marie ( France)

4.5 stars

nick - Scotland

September 2009

stunning location, fantastic value, superb food( 3 courses for £9.00)

5 stars

SmallWorld - Spain

August 2009

It was a great experience to stay in a castle. It is not very easy to find it, so I would recommend everybody to take a GPS with them if they travel by car.

4.5 stars

2 - Scotland

August 2009

3.5 stars

ruth seager - England

August 2009

4.5 stars

ausente - Spain

August 2009

4 stars

Peter - Scotland

August 2009

3 stars

lily - Spain

August 2009

4 stars

rafael perez - Spain

August 2009

5 stars

Chris - France

August 2009

2.5 stars

Nicole Dailcroix - France

August 2009

5 stars

Flip De Ruifel - Netherlands

August 2009

Wauwie and relaxing. Arngay and Boner Bridge are interesting and there's a supermarket.

3 stars

mo - Netherlands

August 2009

4 stars

Christele - France

August 2009

3.5 stars

francisco - Spain

August 2009

4 stars

hello - Netherlands

August 2009

2.5 stars

Jens-Rainer - Switzerland

August 2009

Its a real old castle, with all advantages and disadvantages (long ways to toilet e.g.)

4.5 stars

Giles - England

August 2009

5 stars

greenbean - England

August 2009

4.5 stars

chris - Germany

August 2009

4.5 stars

xxxx - Scotland

August 2009

4 stars

NeilG - England

August 2009

Our night at the castle, at the end of a cycle ride from land's end to john o'groats, was spoilt by the excessive noise from the many foreign syudents staying at the castle, going on unitl 3 in the morning. If this is the market you are trying to attract to this accomodation I feel you should mention it when others are booking. Certainly it wasn't on a par with my usual experience at youth hostels in Britain & not for people, walking, climbing or cycling looking for a relaxed night's sleep. Neil Gilbert

4.5 stars

a - Scotland

August 2009

5 stars

Olivia - England

August 2009

5 stars

Le-Jog - England

August 2009

4.5 stars

dagge - Sweden

August 2009

3.5 stars

manuela - Switzerland

August 2009

3 stars

x - Scotland

August 2009

4.5 stars

Yolanda - Spain

August 2009

Personal muy servicial y atentos con el cliente. Gracias.

5 stars

Jules - United States of America

August 2009

I really liked this hostel as did my two nephews. Lots of kids their age (19 and 21) to hang out with. The staff was very helpful while I was trying to re-arrange travel as well. We had to leave a day early (due to longer than expected driving times) to meet a ferry. They offered to transfer that pre-paid night to a SYHA in Glasgow. It saved a ton of stress. P.S. Helpful note: Double or triple any driving time that Google suggests! They do not take into account the winding roads and slow speeds you must drive to get anywhere in Scotland.

2 stars

jponsf - Spain

August 2009

3 stars

Other - Germany

August 2009

3.5 stars

alf - Spain

August 2009

5 stars

Gon - Spain

August 2009

4 stars

Andrea - Germany

August 2009

Great castle atmosphere, lovingly decorated.

5 stars

tandem rider - United States of America

August 2009

4 stars

Michaela - England

August 2009

4.5 stars

Turnbulls - Scotland

August 2009

Standard of food for evening meal very high

4.5 stars

Fred - France

August 2009

5 stars

rono - Switzerland

August 2009

3 stars

hannie - Netherlands

August 2009

5 stars

burns family - France

August 2009

A truly unique experience. Can't wait to go back with friends. Dinner was well worth waiting for as was the cooked breakfast!

4.5 stars

BALLARIN - France

August 2009

4 stars

angeles - Spain

August 2009

3.5 stars

walkabouttom - Scotland

August 2009

3 stars

Stut - Germany

August 2009

4 stars

Jorge - Spain

August 2009

A great hostel extremly nice but a little bit untidy inside but very good one any way If you are thinking to go there you must

5 stars

Frank - Belgium

August 2009

4 stars

Brian - England

August 2009

3.5 stars

Gijsbert - Netherlands

August 2009

Hire a bike and go to the Shin Waterfalls and see Salmon jump out of the river!

5 stars

marc - Scotland

August 2009

4 stars

piscator - Germany

August 2009

5 stars

Topaz2008 - England

August 2009

It was my first time in a youth hostel since I was a child. We stayed as a family of 4 and had a great time. Beautiful surroundings, excellent food and friendly staff + excellent value for money. I would recommend this hostel to everyone :-)

5 stars

elfinmyst - England

August 2009

Just enjoy a fantastic location with wonderful quiet roads, little traffic and fantastic scenery and friendly people.

3.5 stars

jip - Scotland

August 2009

5 stars

Bea - Spain

August 2009

Maravilloso hostel tanto por loas instalaciones, el paisaje y los empleados (en especial la recepcionista). Nosostros hemos ido con nuestros 2 hijos (13 y 8 años) y a todos nos ha encantado. Solo recalcar que seria conveniente una mejor señalización para llegar hasta allí.

3 stars

Silvie - Belgium

July 2009

4 stars

Martijn - Netherlands

July 2009

4 stars

Ace - Canada

July 2009

Staying at this Castle was alot of fun and the view was amazing, and getting there is actually pretty easy if you take the train, then you have a short walk up the road. I wish I would have known this when I was travelling there it would have saved us alot of trouble trying to find it.

4 stars

someone - Netherlands

July 2009

5 stars

chippylad - England

July 2009

4.5 stars

Dave - Scotland

July 2009

This is a fantastic hostel that is extremely well-managed.

4.5 stars

travelallover - England

July 2009

Wonderful experience, in a beautiful place. The tour is well worth it, to learn the history of the castle.

4.5 stars

gr - England

July 2009

4 stars

cush - Scotland

July 2009

A special experience for children

5 stars

joseph_ccc - Spain

July 2009

4 stars

chainsaw earl - Canada

July 2009

3.5 stars

Sam - Scotland

July 2009

5 stars

A Rob. - Scotland

July 2009

5 stars

Mazza - England

July 2009

5 stars

Family from Silesia - Poland

July 2009

You must be here. It is only one in the world like this.

5 stars

a childs - England

July 2009

5 stars

josh8576 - Germany

July 2009

5 stars

paul - Italy

July 2009

5 stars

abcdefg - United States of America

July 2009

Fantastic! It has been 8 years since my last visit and the place has only gotten better. When I last visited, I was single and traveling alone. This time, I brought along my husband and two young daughters. They absolutely loved it. Just the idea of staying in a castle excited them, but when they saw the castle dog (Spots) they were totally sold. We spent the afternoon going on short walks around the castle and our only complaint is that we didn't get to stay long enough.

3.5 stars

Rochen76 - Germany

July 2009

4 stars

Silke - Germany

July 2009

4 stars

7ft - England

June 2009

5 stars

Ann - England

June 2009

4 stars

Frank - Germany

June 2009

Stunning atmosphere and great location: where else in the world do you have a youth hostel with stuccoed ceilings, a genuine sculpture collection and its own ghost? While brushing your teeth you can even enjoy the view across the valley. Definitely worth a visit

3 stars

Anonymous - United States of America

June 2009

5 stars

whoever - Australia

June 2009

5 stars

Jean Elrick - Scotland

June 2009

love coming to Carbisdale Castle the food is good the staff are friendly and helpfull and the views are second to none cant wait to go back.

4.5 stars

The Dutchies - Netherlands

June 2009

Unique experience in a unique castle. We felt like a king and queen. Look out, we will come back.

4 stars

alex - Scotland

June 2009

5 stars

Adrian - Scotland

June 2009

4.5 stars

Heinz - Austria

June 2009

4 stars

trommel - Australia

June 2009

5 stars

vivillaume - France

June 2009

4.5 stars

Carsten - Denmark

June 2009

3.5 stars

Jörg - Germany

June 2009

4.5 stars

vince - England

June 2009

be careful walking accross footbridge in cycle shoes

5 stars

outdoorsman - England

June 2009

4 stars

Paco - Spain

June 2009

Absolutley stunning hostel

5 stars

Harris Keillar - Scotland

June 2009

4.5 stars

Munroist - England

June 2009

For time-travellers I recommend The Crask Inn.

4.5 stars

Rach - England

June 2009

5 stars

pili blanco - Venezuela

June 2009

5 stars

Fambo - France

May 2009

Walking around the castle

5 stars

11111111111 - Scotland

May 2009

4.5 stars

J - Scotland

May 2009

4.5 stars

kaschoe - Germany

May 2009

4 stars

geoffroy - France

May 2009

wonderfull location for a family

4.5 stars

garibaldi - England

May 2009

3.5 stars

Tres. CBMC - Scotland

May 2009

well worth the travel up....all the way from Lochwinnoch

4.5 stars

Cromtec - Scotland

May 2009

4 stars

Patrick - Belgium

May 2009

5 stars

gustavo letner - Argentina

May 2009

very nice place to stay. !!!

4.5 stars

Rod - England

May 2009

One of the finest views from a hostel window in the uk and a ghost to share my room with

4.5 stars

powerj from the USA - United States of America

May 2009

We had a wonderful time at the castle Wish we could have stayed longer One night is not enough The grounds and the castle are amazing I will definately stay there again

5 stars

none - Switzerland

May 2009

5 stars

Test - Scotland

May 2009

4 stars

snowypetrel - Scotland

May 2009

I was cycling from Culrain over to Achiltibuie so the location was perfect as a starting/end point. Having the station so close to the hostel was a bonus. Very handy to get to and from.

4 stars

yeung - Scotland

May 2009

4.5 stars

AEB - United States of America

May 2009

Very interesting atmosphere and high quality hostel. Great place for a stop while exploring Scotland. Bring or rent bikes to see the area.

4 stars

Angela - Scotland

May 2009

4.5 stars

sean - England

May 2009

A must visit hostel.

4 stars

MONICA - Spain

April 2009

4 stars

Marion - France

April 2009

4 stars

Bishop - Scotland

April 2009

1.5 stars

iustus - Spain

April 2009

5 stars

Emmanuel - France

April 2009

5 stars

Derek B - England

April 2009

Fantastic stay a must for all families plenty of room for children to run. Staff unbelievably friendly

4 stars

Elfo - Spain

April 2009

4.5 stars

bikerboy - Scotland

November 2008

5 stars

Fi - Scotland

November 2008

Had a great visit to Carbisdale in September 2008 The dinner provided was excellent generous portion sizes wholesome food with a vegetarian option and great value for money We travelled by train as the station for the castle is so handy

4 stars

KK - Scotland

November 2008

4 stars

jake - England

November 2008

SYHA - ratings, reviews and travel tips!