Hostel Lochranza re-opened last year after a recent £500,000 refurbishment. This eco-makeover for the hostel has not gone un-noticed as earlier this month the hostel was the winner of the prestigious Green Tourism Business Goldstar Award for 2011.
Receiving this fantastic award now means that Lochranza Hostel is among of the top ten greenest businesses in the UK.
Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTB)
The Green Tourism Business Scheme is a non-profit organisation with over 2,300 members and is the only tourism certificate in the UK to be endorsed by VisitEngland, VisitScotland and also VisitWales. The Goldstar Award is the most demanding that can be won and is presented to businesses and organisations who have achieved only the very highest level of innovation, coast savings and leadership in green tourism. This achievement is a great reward for the incredible hard work by everyone at the hostel and goes to prove it is possible to have a green, sustainable, profitable and incredibly beautiful hostel all in one go.
Hostel Lochranza Attractions
You can find Hostel Lochranza on the northern tip of the Isle of Arran, just off the west coast of Scotland. The hostel is almost completely surrounded by hills with the ruins of a thirteenth century castle on its doorstep. The Isle of Arran is renowned for its spectacular wildlife and Lochranza hostel is a great starting point to observe nature at its best including red deer, roe deer, red squirrels, golden eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons. Down on the coast bottlenose dolphins, seals and basking sharks are also a common sight.
The hostel is a great place to relax and also an ideal starting point to the many trails and ridges offered by the surrounding countryside. As well as walking and rambling, these are also easily available for off-road biking and pony-trekking. For those interested in adventure sports and looking for a little more excitement, there are also classes in paragliding, rock climbing, sea kayaking, gorge walking and also a half hour trip round the island by helicopter.
Hostel Lochranza Facilities
Hostel Lochranza is one of our ‘family hostels’ which means there are good facilities for families with young children. The hostel offers a games area in the lounge, private gardens, excellent self-catering facilities and both family and private rooms, many with en-suite facilities.
Without doubt this is a beautiful hostel in a fantastic location and best of all it is recognised as one of the greenest you will find anywhere in the UK. The hostel is open between 11th March – 29th October.
Visit our Hostel Lochranza page for booking details and information.
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