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The Smugglers Hostel

Property class: 2
Enjoy the free parking at this Ballindalloch hostel

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Smugglers Hostel

A stack of barrels with labels indicating different locations.
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'.
A kitchen with wooden chairs, a dining table, and a window with blue curtains.

Reviews

7.0 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

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

Room options

Room, Private Bathroom (Private Room)

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Family Room, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom

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

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 2)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 1)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 3)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

About the neighborhood

Tomintoul

In Ballindalloch .Within a 5-minute walk of the hostel, you'll find Drumin Castle and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum. Snail Maze and Tomintoul Museum are also within half a mile (1 km).
View more Hostels in TomintoulOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Cairngorms National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Drumin Castle - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Tomintoul Museum - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Snail Maze - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪The Clockhouse - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Old Firestation Tea Room - ‬2 min walk

About this property

The Smugglers Hostel

Enjoy the free parking at this Ballindalloch 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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  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Accessibility

  • No elevator

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.

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
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

How close is The Smugglers Hostel to the airport?

The Smugglers Hostel is 52.6 mi (78-min drive) away from the Inverness (INV) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

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

As of Aug 19, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Smugglers Hostel on Sep 17, 2026 start from $154, 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.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Smugglers Hostel.

Does The Smugglers Hostel offer free breakfast?

The Smugglers Hostel does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Smugglers Hostel?

No, there is no casino at this hostel.

What time is check-in at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM.

Is there free parking at The Smugglers Hostel?

This hostel offers free self parking.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have a pool?

The Smugglers Hostel does not have a pool.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hostel.

How close is The Smugglers Hostel to downtown Ballindalloch?

The Smugglers Hostel is 0.2 mi away from Tomintoul.

The Smugglers Hostel Reviews

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 12 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 12 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 12 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 12 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 12 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

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 traveler

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 traveler

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 traveler

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 traveler

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

8/10 Good

Kasper

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

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