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The Smugglers Hostel

2.0 star property
Hostel in Ballindalloch with free parking

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Smugglers Hostel

Exterior
Restaurant
Property grounds
Terrace/patio
Bed sheets
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.

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Laundry
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 1)

Highlights

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

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 2)

Highlights

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

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 3)

Highlights

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

Family Room, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom

Highlights

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

Room, Private Bathroom (Private Room)

Highlights

Heating
Detached private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Cookware/dishes/utensils
In-room safe
Pet friendly
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk 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
  • Speyside Way - Tominoul Spur - 6 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Glenlivet Distillery - 15 min drive - 19.1 km
  • Cairngorms National Park - 27 min drive - 37.9 km
  • Balmoral Castle - 35 min drive - 45.3 km

Getting around

  • Keith and Dufftown Railway - 38 min drive
  • Inverness (INV) - 78 min drive

Restaurants

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

About this property

The Smugglers Hostel

Hostel in a rural location
The Smugglers Hostel provides amenities like a garden and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.
Additional perks include:
  • Free self parking
  • Luggage storage and smoke-free premises
Other amenities include:
  • Communal kitchens and heating

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • No elevator

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

Access methods

Private entrance

Pets

Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property 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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

National rating

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

Is The Smugglers Hostel pet-friendly?

Yes, cats and dogs are allowed at this property.

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

As of Aug 30, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Smugglers Hostel on Aug 31, 2025 start from CA $170.1, excluding 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.

How much is parking at The Smugglers Hostel?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Smugglers Hostel located?

Situated in a rural location, this hostel is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Speyside Way - Tominoul Spur and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lecht Ski Resort and Lecht 2090. Glenlivet Distillery and Corgarff Castle are also within 12 mi (20 km).

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The Smugglers Hostel Reviews

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 10 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great

Gab
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

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

2/10 Terrible

Christian

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

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

8/10 Good

Kasper

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

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