The Smugglers Hostel

Hostel in Ballindalloch

Choose dates to view prices

Sat 22 Nov
Mon 24 Nov
November 2025
15
December 2025
Exterior
Restaurant
Property grounds
Bed sheets
Terrace/patio
Escape to The Smugglers Hostel, a rural retreat with a serene garden. Unwind in the communal kitchen or stay connected with WiFi. Guests appreciate the luggage storage and helpful staff.
Good

Popular amenities

  • Laundry facilities
  • Pet-friendly
  • Non-smoking
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi

Main amenities (3)

  • Garden
  • Self-serve laundry
  • Luggage storage

Room options

Showing 5 of 5 rooms

Room, Private Bathroom (Private Room)

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Pet friendly
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Family Room, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom

Highlights

Heating
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Pet friendly
In-room safe
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 2)

Highlights

Heating
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 1)

Highlights

Heating
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 3)

Highlights

Heating
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

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About the area

Map
Main Street, Ballindalloch, Scotland, AB37 9EX

What's nearby

  • Drumin Castle - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Tomintoul Museum - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Speyside Way - Tominoul Spur - 6 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Balmoral Castle - 35 min drive - 45.3 km

Getting around

  • Inverness (INV) - 78 min drive
  • Keith and Dufftown Railway - 38 min drive
  • Carrbridge Station - 41 min drive
  • Aviemore Station - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Clockhouse - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Old Firestation Tea Room - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪bridge of brown - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Coffee Still - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Glenavon - ‬8 min walk

About this property

The Smugglers Hostel

Enjoy your visit to Ballindalloch with a stay at The Smugglers Hostel. Free self-parking is an added perk, and guests looking to stay active can experience the nearby hiking/biking trails.

At a glance

Hotel size

    • 22 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 7:00 PM
    • Late check-in subject to availability
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

    • There is no front desk at this property
    • Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; access will be through a private entrance
    • To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18

Pets

    • Pets stay for free (dogs and cats only)
    • Service animals welcome

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas

Parking

    • Free on-site self-parking

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

What to do

  • Hiking/biking trails nearby

Services

  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Facilities

  • Garden

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Heating

Sleep well

  • Bed sheets provided

Freshen up

  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

Fees & policies

Policies

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
This property does not have lifts.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

National rating

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Also known as

Smugglers Hostel Ballindalloch
Smugglers Ballindalloch
The Smugglers Hostel Ballindalloch
The Smugglers Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

Does The Smugglers Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?

Yes, The Smugglers Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.

Are pets allowed at The Smugglers Hostel?

Yes, cats and dogs stay free.

Is parking offered on site at The Smugglers Hostel?

Yes, there's free self parking.

What are the check-in and check-out times at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 7:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

What is there to do at The Smugglers Hostel and nearby?

Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as hiking. The Smugglers Hostel also has a garden.

What's the area around The Smugglers Hostel like?

The Smugglers Hostel is a short 4-minute walk from Drumin Castle and 9 minutes' walk from Tomintoul Museum.

Have a question?

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The Smugglers Hostel Reviews

6.8

Good

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

8/10 Very good

Easy and convenient in an unparalleled location

Superb location and lovely common areas.
Laura, 1-night trip

8/10 Very good

great little hostel

I had a great night stay here. the facilities are good, the member of staff was very friendly and helpful there is a local shop/pub/restaurant. Nice and quiet, i had the best nights sleep here.
Angela, 1-night trip

8/10 Very good

Last minute family booking

Great communication after a last minute booking as a family of 5. Very comfortable and clean. In a lovely setting.
Gemma, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Great

Gab
1-night trip

2/10 Poor

Schöne Küche, Zimmergröße ok (Familienzimmer). Aber: sehr dreckig. Auf dem Heizkörper im Zimmer war ein Fleck mit Erbrochenem (? Annahme), welches sich auch auf dem Teppichboden befand. Der Türcode für das Zimmer befindet sich gut sichtbar für alle im Flur an der Pinnwand. Somit haben wir uns nicht sicher gefühlt. Es war kein Personal vor Ort. Wir mussten telefonisch erst einmal die Zugänglichkeit zum Zimmer klären.
Frank, 1-night trip

4/10 Fair

Self checking need professionnal...they aren't

To pay £100 for a private room with private bathroom in a youth hostel, and for that, only receiving a quick email explaining that there will be probably no staff at arrival time (while Hotels.com mentions until 7pm) but that you can pass and visit thrz tourist center ..between 3 and 5pm !!! At the end, no code supplied for your private room. Other guests on site saying that they did not see any staff for the last 2 days except the cleaning person. Emergency numbers given online and onsite : 0 answer ! Hotels.com support : 0..just good enough to make your call lasting as long as possible. Finally found a dormitory open and slept in it but with not door code so were always afraid that the door could get closed . Terrible service from the hostel. Self checking needs a minimum experience...they have none. Hotels.com : thanks for the travel I don't know where thanks to your online support ..but not a better service than the hotel.
Chantal, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Good atmosphere, nice staff and nice people staying. Good sharing kitchen and living
1-night trip

6/10 Good

2-night trip

2/10 Poor

Christian, 1-night trip

8/10 Very good

1-night trip

8/10 Very good

Kasper, 1-night trip