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The Smugglers Hostel

Property class: 2

Photo gallery for The Smugglers Hostel

A stack of barrels with labels indicating different locations.
A kitchen with wooden chairs, a dining table, and a window with blue curtains.
A bunk bed room with metal railings and a single bed with a blue blanket.
A dining area with wooden tables and chairs, a bookshelf, and framed pictures on the wall.
A stone building with a signboard indicating 'Welcome' and 'Beds Available'.

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Laundry room
  • Kitchen
The current price is AU$248
includes taxes & fees
14 Sept - 15 Sept

Explore the area

View map
Main Street, Ballindalloch, Scotland, AB37 9EX
  • Place, Cairngorms National Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Tomintoul Museum
    ‪8 min walk‬

Room options

Room, Private Bathroom (Private Room)

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Family Room, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 2)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 1)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 3)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

About the area

Tomintoul

At The Smugglers Hostel you'll be within a short 5-minute stroll of Drumin Castle and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum. .This pet-friendly hostel offers free WiFi in public areas, a garden and luggage storage. Added amenities include laundry facilities. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .In proximity to this Ballindalloch hostel you'll find Cairngorms National Park.
View more Hostels in TomintoulOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Cairngorms National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Drumin Castle - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Tomintoul Museum - 8 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Snail Maze - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

  • Keith and Dufftown Railway - 38 min drive
  • Inverness (INV) - 79 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Old Firestation Tea Room - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Glenavon - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Dalchini - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪bridge of brown - ‬6 min drive

About this property

The Smugglers Hostel

As a guest of The Smugglers Hostel, you'll find a garden and laundry facilities. Public spaces have free WiFi. Self parking is free.

This Ballindalloch hostel is smoke free.

  • 22 guestrooms or units
  • Self-service laundry
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
The Smugglers Hostel offers 22 accommodations. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen.

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The Highland Hotel by Compass Hospitality
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  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
3.8 out of 5, Good, 671 reviews
The price is AU$184
includes taxes & fees
4 Oct - 5 Oct
The Highland Hotel by Compass Hospitality

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out before 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

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Private entrance

Pets

  • Pets are welcome and stay free
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Cash is not accepted. 

Property class

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

Property is also known as

Smugglers Hostel Ballindalloch

Smugglers Ballindalloch

The Smugglers Hostel Ballindalloch

The Smugglers Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at The Smugglers Hostel?

The Smugglers Hostel offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at The Smugglers Hostel?

As of 10 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Smugglers Hostel on 14 Sept 2026 start from AU$248, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at The Smugglers Hostel?

Yep, The Smugglers Hostel has a free self car park.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Smugglers Hostel?

No, The Smugglers Hostel does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

The Smugglers Hostel Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 13 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Easy and convenient in an unparalleled location

Superb location and lovely common areas.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Angela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Gemma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Last minute family booking

Great communication after a last minute booking as a family of 5. Very comfortable and clean. In a lovely setting.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great

Gab
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Chantal

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service

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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Frank

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
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.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good atmosphere, nice staff and nice people staying. Good sharing kitchen and living
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Christian

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kasper

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019