Ratagan - Facilities & Information

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The Essentials

  • 1.5mls

  • 9mls

  • £1 per 20min

  • £2 per wash

  • 1.5mls

  • 40 beds

  • 16mls



Information

 

Dates:  Open 29th March - 28th October 2012

Tel:  01599 511 243

 

Reception opening hours: 7.30-10am  &  5–10.30pm

Hostel opening times: 7.30-10.30am & 5 – 11.30pm

Check in: from 5.00pm - 10.30pm

Daytime access may be available, please confirm with hostel

 

Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of our hostels.

 

Essentials

 

* of £1.00 per 20 mins next to wifi icon (should also be considered for all hostels)

 

Local Attractions

 

Falls of Glomach

The start of the hill walk to the Falls of Glomach is approx. 3.5 miles from the hostel. Appropriate experience and equipment required
Hill walk, approx 3.5 miles from hostel
Visit Website

 

Eilean Donan Castle
Castle, Exhibitions and Visitor Centre open daily 1 April to 31 October. Gift Shop open all year
STB 4 Star Visitor Attraction

Approx 8 miles from hostel
Dornie, By Kyle of Lochalsh. IV40 8DX
Visit Website

 

Glenelg Brochs
Dun Telve and Dun Troddan Two broch towers, standing more than 10 metres high, with well preserved structural features
Near Glenelg. Approx 8 miles from hostel
Visit Website

 

Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland Garden
A diverse highland crofting estate of high nature conservation and cultural value
Visit Website

 

Craig Highland Farm
Plockton, Ross-shire IV52 8UB
Visit Website

 

Kintail & Morvich
A wild landscape with exceptional mountain scenery, which includes the magnificent ridge of the Five Sisters
Visit Website

 

Seaprobe Atlantis
A unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity of marine life from the UK's only glass bottom boat
STB 4 Star Visitor Attraction
The Old Ferry Slipway, Kyle of Lochalsh
Visit Website

 

Skye Bridge
Beautiful bridge linking Skye to mainland Scotland
Visit Website

 

South Glen Shiel
The mountains to the south of Glen Shiel

Approx 4 miles / 15 miles from hostel
Visit Website

 

Totaig Broch

Approx 5mls from hostel
Visit Website

 

Glenelg Ferry

Visit Website

 


Eating & Drinking

 

Grants Restaurant
The ultimate food experience on the West Coast
Bookings essential
Craigellachie, Ratagan, Glenshiel, Kyle, IV40 8HP
Visit Website

 

Kintail Lodge Hotel
STB 3 Star Small Hotel
Glenshiel, IV40 8HL
Visit Website

 

Jac-O-Bite Restaurant
Ault A Chruinn, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh , Ross-Shire , IV40 8HN
Visit Website

 

Glenelg Inn
Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, IV40 8JR
Visit Website

 

Cluanie Inn
Skye & Lochalsh, Glenmoriston, IV63 7YW
Tel: 01320 340238
Visit Website

 

The Clachan

Approx. 8 miles from hostel

Visit Website

 

Dornie Hotel

Approx. 8 miles from hostel

Visit Website


 

Families

  • Private rooms: ideal for families
  • Good self-catering facilities
  • Please note Ratagan has no TV/games room

We understand better than anyone the implications of travelling with young children. That is why we are doing all we can to make your hostelling experience memorable for all the right reasons.
 
Children and families are welcome at all our hostels, although we have  highlighted a number of hostels within our network as being “Family Hostels” as they are particularly well-suited to travelling with and entertaining younger children. 

 

Family hostels not only have private rooms available, many with en-suite facilities, they also carry practical items such as travel cots, high chairs, microwaves and toys. In addition there is normally a TV and games room as well as extensive private gardens on site where the kids can let off some steam. Close to great attractions and activities, these family hostels offer a great base from which to explore the area. Our helpful staff are a great source of knowledge on places to visit and things to see and do. 

 

Hostelling is a very friendly and relaxed way to travel and our ethos actively involves children.

Walkers

Shorter Walks

 

Caisteal Grugaig (Dun Totaig) Broch from Letterfearn

A lovely walk along the shore of Loch Duich, with good views of Eilean Donan Castle, to the slipway and cottage at Totaig and then uphill to the impressive remains of an iron age broch.

Visit Website

 

Gleann Lichd

Gleann Lichd is a quintessential wild Highland glen. There are few easy walks in the Kintail area, but this glen has a simple track; the walk up the glen can be made as short as you like.

Visit Website

 

Duncraig Castle from Plockton

A beautiful circuit through fine woodland with picturesque views across Loch Carron.

Visit Website

 

Plockton Crags and the two lochs

The transmitter mast on Carn a Bhealaich Mhoir is prominent in views from Plockton; reaching it is a much easier walk than might be expected. The walk has stunning views and passes two attractive lochs.

Visit Website

 

Sandaig (Camusfearna)

A short walk down through the forestry to the beautiful and atmospheric Sandaig bay. This peaceful spot was immortalised as Camusfearna in 'Ring of Bright Water' - the famous book by Gavin Maxwell telling of his life with his pet otters at this lonely spot. NOTE: If forestry operations are in place it may be necessary to use the return path to access Sandaig.

Visit Website

 

The Old Coast Path, Corran

A fabulous coastal walk on an enchanting, forgotten old path through stunning scenery.

Visit Website

 

Moderate Walks

 

Sgurr an Airgid

Sgurr an Airgid is a Corbett (over 2500 feet high) and has magnificent views; it offers a relatively straightforward and short hillwalk. A good introduction to the higher peaks.

Visit Website

 

Falls of Glomach - easiest route (from Morvich)

Though not the highest, the Falls of Glomach are perhaps the most magnificent waterfalls in Britain, with a single leap of 113 metres (370 feet). This walk is the easiest and shortest approach.

Visit Website

 

Dornie, Eas Ban waterfall and Carr Brae circuit

A circular walk linking historical routes. Spectacular views and waterfalls and a really wild feel over the Mam Coire Doimhneid pass; solitude is almost guaranteed.

Visit Website

 

Walks for the More Experienced

 

Beinn Sgritheall

Beinn Sgritheall gives a steep and punishing ascent; the effort is well worthwhile however as this is one of the finest viewpoints in the Highlands, with a fantastic outlook over dramatic Loch Hourn to Knoydart and the Cuillin of Skye.

Visit Website

 

Ciste Dhubh and Am Bathach, Cluanie

The traverse of the Corbett of Am Bathach is along a fine grassy ridge, whilst Ciste Dhubh is a Munro of real character giving an excellent walk.

Visit Website

 

Five Sisters of Kintail

A classic ridgewalk taking in three Munros, the Five Sisters give a wonderful days excursion with magnificent views.

Visit Website

 

Falls of Glomach via Glen Elchaig

The Falls of Glomach are perhaps the most magnificent waterfalls in Britain, with a single leap of 113 metres (370 feet). They require a fair walk to reach from any direction; the shortest and more usual route is from Strath Croe but the approach up Glen Elchaig is a far finer walk, though much care is needed on the approach to the falls.

Visit Website

 

Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais

Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais is thirty metres short of Munro status and is very much the forgotten peak on the great range along the south side of Glen Shiel. Nonetheless it gives a good hillwalk with views over its more famous neighbours.

Visit Website

 

Other walks including more difficult routes can be found here

Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".

Wildlife

Seals, porpoise,  shag, cormorant, eider, duck, razorbill, sea eagle, otter, divers, guillemot, ash trees, spotted flycatcher, whinchat, water avens, hazel, wood anemone
 
Seaprobe Atlantis
A unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity of marine life from the UK's only semi-submersible glass bottom boat
STB 4 Star Visitor Attraction
The Old Ferry Slipway, Kyle of Lochalsh
Visit Website

 

Kylerhea Otter Haven
Opportunity to see a variety of coastal wildlife 
Tel: 01320 366 322
Visit Website

 

The National Trust for Scotland 

The NTS are at times also available for talks at the hostel. Please contact hostel for further information.

Visit Website

 

Active & Adventure

Kayaking

Introductory and intermediate level

Visit Website

 

Pony Trekking

Glenshiel

Visit Website

 

Ratagan horse riding / carriage driving

Visit Website

 

Lochalsh Dirty 30 - Annual Walk Challenge

Visit Website

 

 

 


Staff Recommendations

Hostel Manager

 

“The local habitat is rich and varied. It’s possible to spot eagles and otters in the area, whilst I often enjoy just sitting on the hostel lawn and watching the porpoises feed and surface in Loch Duich. Let us know what you see and report it on our wildlife chart”

How do I get here?

SYHA - Hostelling in Scotland
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© SYHA Hostelling Scotland 2011

Scottish Youth Hostels Association (also known as SYHA or
Hostelling Scotland) is a registered Scottish charity No.SC013138
and a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, No. SC310841.
Registered Office 7 Glebe Crescent, Stirling, FK8 2JA.


This information is provided for guidance only, and is correct at the time of preparation. All bookings are subject to SYHA Hostelling Scotland terms and conditions.