Ratagan - Local Information
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Local Attractions
Falls of Glomach
The highest falls in the country.
Hill walk, approx 3.5 miles from hostel
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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
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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
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Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland Garden
A diverse highland crofting estate of high nature conservation and cultural value
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Craig Highland Farm
Plockton, Ross-shire IV52 8UB
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Kintail & Morvich
A wild landscape with exceptional mountain scenery, which includes the magnificent ridge of the Five Sisters
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Lochend Llama Treks
Walking and trekking with llamas as walking companions. Suitable for all ages and abilities
Lochend Llamas, Invershiel, Glenshiel, By Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8HL
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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
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Skye Bridge
Beautiful bridge linking Skye to mainland Scotland
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South Glen Shiel
The mountains to the south of Glen Shiel
Approx 4 miles / 15 miles from hostel
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Totaig Broch
Approx 5mls from hostel
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Eating & Drinking
Grants Restaurant
The ultimate food experience on the West Coast
Bookings essential
Craigellachie, Ratagan, Glenshiel, Kyle, IV40 8HP
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Kintail Lodge Hotel
STB 3 Star Small Hotel
Glenshiel, IV40 8HL
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Five Sisters Restaurant
Shiel Shop Limited, Shiel Bridge, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8H
Jac-O-Bite Restaurant
Ault A Chruinn, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh , Ross-Shire , IV40 8HN
Glenelg Inn
Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, IV40 8JR
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Cluanie Inn
Skye & Lochalsh, Glenmoriston, IV63 7YW
Tel: 01320 340238
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Families
- Private rooms: ideal for families
- Good self-catering facilities
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
Morvich to the Falls of Glomach
A walk to the highest free-falling waterfall in the British Isles
Distance: 15km/9.4mls, Duration: 5 hrs, Height Gain: 300 metres/990 feet
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Traverse of Five Sisters of Kintail
This walk follows one of the finest ridge walks in Scotland
Distance: 9km/5.6mls, Duration: 8 hrs, Height Gain: 1500 metres/4950 feet
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Plockton - Duncraig Castle - Plockton
A stunning walk overlooking Plockton and over to Applecross
Distance: 5.5 km/3.5mls, Duration: 3 hrs, Height Gain: 170 metres/560 feet
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Dornie - Bundalloch - River Glennan - Coire Dhuinnid - Carr Brae
A circular route through two contrasting valleys with great views
Distance: 19.32km/12.08mls, Duration: 6 1/2 hrs, Height Gain: 620 metres/2046 feet
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Morvich Circular
A pleasent walk taking you up Gleann Coinneachain across a bridge and back down Strath Croe
Distance: 6km/3.75mls, Duration: 2 1/2 hrs, Height Gain: 80 metres/264 feet
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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 boatSTB 4 Star Visitor Attraction
The Old Ferry Slipway, Kyle of Lochalsh
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Kylerhea Otter Haven
Opportunity to see a variety of coastal wildlifeTel: 01320 366 322
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Active & Adventure
Kayaking
Introductory and intermediate level
Pony Trekking
Glenshiel
Ratagan horse riding / carriage driving
Lochalsh Dirty Challenge Walk
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"