"Loch Ossian is the epitome of youth hostelling. It embodies everything that we stand for: affordable comfortable accommodation providing access to the most remote yet most beautiful areas in Scotland. We are absolutely delighted that we managed to raise the funds to carry out such an extensive and environmentally-friendly refurbishment of this particular youth hostel, yet keep its rustic character. I am sure that the many people who have come to love and treasure Loch Ossian Youth Hostel will be well satisfied with its redevelopment and its eco-friendly design."

John Dickson, Chairman of the Scottish Youth Hostels Association

Following a £130,000 refurbishment, one of Scotland’s oldest youth hostels has been transformed into arguably the most eco-friendly accommodation in the UK. The hostel has recently been awarded the coveted Gold Award under the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

The sympathetic refurbishment of Loch Ossian Youth Hostel underlines the Scottish charity’s original commitment as a not-for-profit body to provide accommodation in some of Scotland’s more remote but most beautiful areas.

A former boathouse on Loch Ossian, the building was first leased to the Association in 1931, providing walkers, ramblers and nature-lovers with comfortable but basic accommodation in a highland setting. Situated at the hub of many walking routes on the edge of Rannoch Moor, the hostel has served as a Munro-baggers’ base station for years and has been a delight to nature lovers. Enhancing the feeling of remoteness, there is no car access. The Hostel can be reached only on foot or from the Glasgow-Fort William train line. Get off at Corrour Station and then walk the 1-mile track to the Hostel.

 Unfortunately the years have taken their toll on the building and its fabric was badly in need of more than just routine maintenance to keep it standing.Last year, the SYHA launched an appeal to provide funds to undertake the necessary repair work, and over a third of the much-needed cash came from its members alone. Funding also came from grants made under the Fresh Futures /New Opportunities Fund programme, The Cross Trust and private trust donations.

A new dry toilet system, one of the first for Scotland, has been installed, which requires no flushing and produces composted material from disposed waste. Any liquid is evaporated using a photovoltaic solar-powered fan.

Recently, the Loch Ossian Hostel manager has embarked on a tree-planting project and has planted approximately 50 native trees since July 2003.  The trees are thriving despite an ongoing battle with the deer that love holly and birch saplings.  Once the trees are established they will attract even more wildlife to the immediate area. The hostel is already a haven for wildlife, with regular sightings of deer, pine martens, otters, red squirrels, golden eagles, capercaillie, ptarmigan, grouse and peregrine falcons.

 The grey water system processes used water from wash-hand basins and sinks through a sand and gravel filtration system, the final stage of which is a natural reed bed. Any food waste is trapped by a sieve and transferred to one of the two on-site compost bins, to be later used as mulch for the new trees planted in the surrounding area.

Power in the youth hostel is provided by a wind turbine that generates electricity to meet all of the hostel’s requirements. A multi-fuel stove provides heat and hot water for both washing and a heating system. Even the windows have been created using recycled glass.

Much of the work on the hostel has been designed to increase the energy efficiency of the building, making it more environmentally responsible. Yet care has been taken to ensure that the hostel retains its original characteristics, including the original colour of stain on the outside walls, to preserve the rustic image which has proved so popular with guests over the years.

Not content simply with being eco-friendly, the SYHA has also taken into account the hostel’s impact on the local wildlife, particularly the protected bat colony which roosts in the hostel’s attic. After seeking expert advice, "bat-friendly" timber primer and paint, which is based on water rather than oil, have been used throughout the refurbishment to ensure these unusual visitors are made as comfortable as possible.

For further information, please contact:

• Scottish Youth Hostels or call 08701 553255 for a free hostel guide

This case study was added on 10 October 2003

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