Cycle-friendly Scottish hostels

For the majority of backpackers and independent travellers in Scotland, there's one city whose siren call is almost impossible to resist: Edinburgh. And few places in the world are as blessed with top-quality budget accommodation as the Scottish capital. In fact, when it comes to choosing a hostel in Edinburgh, the biggest problem is knowing where to start.

Smart City Hostel Edinburgh, High Street Hostel and Edinburgh Central Hostel all have plenty to recommend them by. But cosy, friendly and with some great views of Edinburgh Castle, Castle Rock Hostel is arguably the standout choice. Chuck in ample bike parking facilities, and you've got a great hostel for the cyclist in Edinburgh.

For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Edinburgh's dotted with beautiful green spaces. Just outside the city, meanwhile, the countryside is riddled with some great cycling routes for those looking to escape Edinburgh by bike.

Moving on from Edinburgh (slightly reluctantly), the rest of Scotland opens up. And whether you're cycling, driving, taking a train, or setting off on foot, it's hard not to be impressed with the absolutely stunning country that stretches away in front of you.

... and beyond

As a general rule, by the time most people have checked into their hostel, Glasgow has already won them over. Further to the north, Aberdeen hostels see their fair share of hardy backpackers and cyclists looking to tackle the wonderful 'Speyside Way' cycling route.

But Scotland doesn't begin and end with its three big cities. And as you get out into the countryside, the prospects for the cyclist just keep getting better and better. Isolated rural hostels - a godsend for the weary cyclist - are very much a Scottish speciality. View all the youth hostels Scotland has to offer on this map.

Not far from the west coast town of Fort William, Glen Nevis Hostel is spectacularly situated in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis, and has some great mountain-biking at Aonoch Mor. And the top-class Scottish cycling hostels don't stop there either.

Sitting on the misty banks of Loch Ness, Morag's Lodge is a perfect choice for biking around the loch - and maybe even indulging in a bit of monster-spotting. An hour or so's train journey north of Inverness, Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel is one of the most dramatically located hostels in Scotland.

A little further up the coast, Helmsdale Hostel offers a bike shed for you to store your bike, and wood-fired stoves to keep you warm should the weather close in. Then right up the top of the country and staring out across the Pentland Firth, John O'Groats Hostel is popular with bird-watchers, walkers and cyclists alike. It's the pinnacle of a spectacular country for the cyclist - or anyone else for that matter!

A bedroom in the Edinburgh SYHA hostel in Haddington Place

Aberdeen Hostel is a traditional Victorian house in the city's Queen's Road.

The SYHA hostel in Glen Nevis makes an ideal base for exploring Lochaber or climbing Ben Nevis.

Carbisdale Castle is the home of the SYHA hostel in Culrain.