Lochranza Youth Hostel in Isle of Arran, Skotlanti

Almost surrounded by the hills and complete with a thirteenth-century ruined castle, this recently refurbished waterside hostel is a wonderful place to relax. This is a place where you can observe nature, with spectacular wildlife right on the doorstep.

Lochranza is the ideal base for tackling the many trails and ridges of the Arran mountains including Goat Fell, the island's highest peak. For the less ambitious the Cock of Arran walk, the finest low level trek on the island, starts and finishes at the hostel.

Arran has many other activities to offer including on and off-road biking, pony-trekking, fishing, golfing and watersports.