Berneray Hostel

Last night we stayed in Berneray Hostel, a converted Black House owned by the Gatlif Trust - there are 3 or 4 of them across the Hebrides. This was an amazing traditional thick-walled, single-story, thatched building. It is affiliated with the SYHA but unlike hostels such as the one at Ullapool there are no wardens on site, meaning that you turn up and make yourself at home and a warden shows up later in the day to collect the money (£12 each). The hostel has 3 rooms with bunk beds, with each room sleeping 4-8 people. We found ourselves sharing with two lovely ladies who were walking the length of the Hebrides who arrived on the ferry before us. 

The main room of the hostel was amazing, with a coal stove fire in the hearth and plenty of seating and cooking space, including gas hobs and hot and cold running water. The place was really warm and cosy, even before lighting the fire thanks to the think walls and thatch.

Having spoken to some of the other hostellers we realised we could pick up a few beers at the store down the road so rolled down (with my newly repaired bike chain working well) only to find that the shop was just closing. At first the woman seemed to just say they were shut but on learning that we just wanted a few beers she invited us in to pick our beers and said to just come back and pay for them in the morning as she was already cashing up.

Berneray hostel is situated right on the beach edge which makes for amazing sunsets and gave us the opportunity for a great evening beach stroll on the clean and sandy beach:

After we cooked up bubble and squeak with some venison sausages we had bought from the co-op in Leverburgh (mmmm), we drank our beers and had a lovely evening chatting to the other guess in front of the fire sharing chocolate shortbread.

Unfortunately the night that followed was not the most restful. The room was really very hot and there was a bit of snoring and the bunk beds were shorter than either of us!! 

Despite the poor night of sleep the hostel at Berneray was a great experience and one of the most interesting and unique places we've stayed so far.