The new youth hostel will use the former Bayfield Backpackers building

A new youth hostel will open on a Hebridean island next month.

The former Bayfield Backpackers building on the Isle of Skye, and the adjacent Bayview Guest House have been taken over by SYHA Hostelling Scotland and will open for guests in March.

The Portree Youth Hostel will have up to 18 rooms, including private rooms, shared accommodation and self-catering facilities.

SYHA chief executive Keith Legge said: “Portree has been on our list for a long time as an ideal location for a youth hostel.

“We have finally been able to achieve this long term objective whilst we continue to update and reconfigure our hostelling network across Scotland to meet our guests’ expectations.

“The Isle of Skye is one of the must-visit destinations in Scotland and we look forward to welcoming more guests to this beautiful island.”

Portree, site of the new youth hostel. Photo: Nataliya Hora

The opening of the new Portree Youth Hostel follows the recent modernisation of Glasgow, Oban and Lochranza Youth Hostels in SYHA’s plan to modernise its hostels to meet guests’ expectations.

The charity said this plan includes an increased number of private and family rooms, while retaining the youth-hostelling ethos of fellowship of likeminded individuals.

More details are on the SYHA website.