Sarah Mack headed up north to find out if much has changed since she last went youth hostelling as a teenager.

Youth Hostelling is a great way to see Scotland on a limited budget. Today's hostels are a far cry from past stereotypes of freezing cold showers and lights out by 9pm. The Scottish Youth Hostels Association have been providing low-cost hostel accommodation since 1931 and now have over 70 hostels throughout Scotland ranging from large castles to small rustic cottages all offering good self-catering facilities and comfortable accommodation in some of the country's most beautiful locations.  Sarah stayed at the following three:

Achmelvich Beach YH is a small and remote rustic Hostel in rugged surroundings, just a 300-metre walk to a white sandy beach and 600 metres from an isolated and sheltered cove. The former school building and cottage have been tastefully transformed into a 36-bed Hostel, with rooms of various sizes including one family room. Ask the Manager for advice on local wildlife and walks.
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel    Tel: 0870 004 1102
Recharn, Lairg     
Sutherland  IV27 4JB

Ullapool YH has wonderful views across the bay and is right next to the ferries, buses, pubs, cafes and seafood restaurants. It has good self catering facilities, including a microwave but Sarah decided to treat herself to a meal at the nearby famous Ceilidh Place Tel: 01854 612 103
Ullapool Youth Hostel     Tel: 0870 004 1156
Shore Street, Ullapool
Ross-shire, IV26 2UJ

Cairngorm Lodge YH is situated in the heart of Glenmore Forest Park, 7 miles from Aviemore and just 2 miles from the Cairngorm ski area. This old Scottish shooting lodge offers good accommodation with stunning vies of the Northern Cairngorms. Ideal base for all outdoor activities including hillwalking, skiing, pony trekking, watersports and fishing. The Loch Morlich Watersports Centre and beach are opposite the Lodge.
Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel    Tel: 0870 004 1137
Glenmore, Aviemore, PH22 1QY

Activities/Sights
The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd is Britain's only herd of reindeer, found free ranging in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland. These extremely tame and friendly animals are a joy to all who come and see them. There are currently around 130 reindeer, approximately 50 of them ranging the Cairngorm Mountains and the remainder on the Glenlivet Estate; the locations being some 30 miles apart. Sarah joined one of the Reindeer Tours where, under the supervision of the trained guides, visitors can feed and stroke the reindeer. They are not camera shy, so you'll be able to take some memorable snaps. There are daily visits to the reindeer, weather permitting, departing from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre. The Centre closes for a short time during the winter so please call ahead to check times etc.
Reindeer Tour at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre Tel: 01479 861228
Admission costs £6 for adults and £3 for children/senior citizens.

Highland Stoneware Pottery in Ullapool  Tel: 01571 844 376

Loch Morlich Watersports Centre    Tel: 01479 861 221
Glenmore Forest Park
Aviemore, PH21 1NU

Geological Site - Knockan Crag
On the way to Ullapool Youth Hostel, Sarah stopped off to take in Knockan Crag - one of the world's most important geological sites.  During the Caledonian mountain building period some 480 million years ago, internal pressure split the earth's crust along gently sloping faults, forcing other rocks upwards and westwards over younger rocks. This "overthrust", known as the Moine Thrust, runs up the west coast of Sutherland and is clearly visible at Knockan. The feature baffled 19th-century geologists until Ben Peach and John Horne came up with an explanation of its origin.  Scottish Natural Heritage opened an Information Centre in 2001 where you can find out all about Scotland's rocks
For more information www.knockan-crag.co.uk  
or contact Scottish Natural Heritage Tel: 0131 447 4784  www.snh.org.uk