The Smugglers Hostel & Campsite Tomintoul

6th September 2024:

Great place to stay lots to see and do in the areas. Will be back again

Lots of good gravel tracks and few good cafes at Tomintoul. Glenlivet mountainbike trails centre is not that far away so plenty to do

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd September 2024:

all good

take dogs and kids 'up' the road to the lovely play area.

Would Recommend: Yes

2nd September 2024:

Everything was great, thanks. Not sure if the lock was working to main door, as we could open without putting code in! Little dog poo in walled garden. Will definitely return, many thanks.

Would Recommend: Yes

31st August 2024:

Great as alwayds

Would Recommend: Yes

12th August 2024:

Perfect facility for our club MTB weekend away with a large group of Juniors and Adults. We'll definitely be back. All our queries prior to arrival were quickly responded to. Thank you

Would Recommend: Yes

10th August 2024:

Very handy for walking the Tomintoul Spur. Wasn't too happy about the lack of a lockable door on the ladies shower. Very well-equipped kitchen.

Would Recommend: Yes

9th August 2024:

Good bed, clean bathroom, easy to find and near a little town, with parking

All ok

Would Recommend: Yes

7th August 2024:

No Staff.

Do your own research online before arriving as there is nobody to speak to once you arrive.

Would Recommend: Yes

7th August 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

6th August 2024:

Great location for those doing Tour of the Cairngorms bike packing. Good facilities. Friendly staff.

Local grocery shop, two pubs and cafes on central square.

Would Recommend: Yes

5th August 2024:

Four people rammed into a 4 bed room that looked like a cupboard with 2 bunks that is at best suitable for 1 bunk and barely room to move. While there were empty rooms. A kitchen with tables crammed so close together for seats to be used. Highly unlikely to make a return visit and will tell others to avoid. A waste of my time and money.

Avoid

Would Recommend: No

31st July 2024:

Had a great stay, very very nice kitchen

Make full use of their well equipped kitchen

Would Recommend: Yes

30th July 2024:

Beautiful and peaceful location. Hot shower and amazingly comfy beds. Our second trip here we love it

Would Recommend: Yes

25th July 2024:

Excellent

Perfect loaction would recommenf

Would Recommend: Yes

22nd July 2024:

Excellent location in the centre of Tomintoul. Very well kitted out kitchen (we made haggis, neeps & tatties for 23 people). Safe, secure rooms with lockers. Ample parking. Highly recommend - we booked exclusive hire for our group of ~22 adults, which was very reasonably priced.

Large group activities: Rothiemurchus estate (quad bike trek & axe throwing) and Full On Adventure (white water river tubing) were excellent crowd pleasers. The Old Inn in Aviemore was excellent. Glenavon Hotel pub in Tomintoul was great fun, very accommodating, free darts & pool.

Would Recommend: Yes

19th July 2024:

Very attentive host. The most comfortable bed I have slept in. Loved the peace and tranquillity of the location. Warm and cosy. Spacious facilities.

Quite difficult location to get to if you don't have your own transport. However, I wouldn't let that put anyone off from The Smuggler's Inn.

Would Recommend: Yes

18th July 2024:

Friendly staff

Would Recommend: Yes

15th July 2024:

One of the best hostels ive stayed,would highly recommend Only thing i would suggest is change the wall sockets for ones with usb connections.

Would Recommend: Yes

15th July 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

14th July 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

4th July 2024:

We camped in the walled garden, which was sheltered and beautiful. Having the opportunity to use the facilities at the hostel was brilliant - the drying room, kitchen (& Scrabble!) were fab, particularly as the weather wasn’t reliable. I asked a question via the booking chat and WhatsApp, getting an immediate answer. Great place, would love to rest.

Mine of Lecht was a lovely evening walk.

Would Recommend: Yes

2nd July 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

22nd June 2024:

It was a brilliant time there. We were a bit late, but Sharon has answered our phone calling and she was absolutely flexible to solve the situation. We just built up our tent, during that my gf managed the booking. The shower had a good warm water, the kitchen is huge and has all the stuff for living a comfortable life. I am happy to find that place, I can highly recommend for everybody to sleep there. We are bikers and I felt, bikers are very welcomed there! Thank you once more p.s. the Glenlivet Distillery just 10 minutes by car/motorcycle!

All was perfect!

Would Recommend: Yes

18th June 2024:

Great place. We arrivwd late. It would be good if we had a way to rent towels even if arriving late

Would Recommend: Yes

There are towels availabe to rent in a cupboard in the kitchen island, we do also have a notice advising towels available to rent on the door.

17th June 2024:

Great location for hostel. Nice, well equipped kitchen. Warm (good central heating system). Maybe make more clear to bookers that hostel doesn't have a resident manager? If you are a community-run enterprise, let folk know this in advance as this would make arrival process clearer. I may have missed instructions re where to leave bedding (maybe collect this each morning?) You got back to our WhatsApp re the drying room being out of action - thank you. When we arrived, layout of dining/lounge area was odd (no legspace for sitting on dining/lounge chairs) so we moved tables/chairs around to make this possible).

Would Recommend: Yes

12th June 2024:

Thank you for having us at the Smugglers. Sharon was super friendly and offered us an upgrade. It is not the newest hostel, but the beds were comfortable an the shower had the best waterpressure we had in the last 2,5 weeks in scotland. The kitchen is also very well equipped.

We were there when the weather was exeptionally miserable for the time of year, therefor we haven't made the most of our stay. But the people at the Wiskey Castle are very friendly and gave us a tasting, we also went for a distillery tour and drove north to the coast. Cullen is a cute town with lots of vintage shops, but they where all closed on a monday.

Would Recommend: Yes

10th June 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

8th June 2024:

First time staying in a hostel. We camped in the grounds of the hostel but were able to use the hostel's facilities which we very much appreciated. Would definitely stay at the hostel again and would recommend it to others.

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd June 2024:

Great bunkhouse, good location and great facilities, Good value for money

Local shop nearby

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd June 2024:

Our room had not been cleaned which isn’t a huge deal, but there was poo in the toilet which hadn’t been flushed. That is pretty poor really.

We love the clock house restaurant.

Would Recommend: Yes

31st May 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

29th May 2024:

In room 2, please move the lockers out. The space is desperately needed. A big open shelf or a bench works much better! The lockers could maybe go in a hallway, bathroom or common area? The furniture in the lounge area is hard to walk around and hard to use. Maybe small group seating pods around the outside and breakfast tables in the middle? Less is more!

Would Recommend: Yes

26th May 2024:

We camped and the camping area was lovely, quiet and lots of space. We used the facilities inside as well which was a real treat after wild camping a few nights. Loved the sitting area and kitchen.

Would Recommend: Yes

18th May 2024:

Our stay was overall great. The beds were extraordinary comfy, the kitchen very well equipped and the common room nice to hang out. A few things could be improved. First our room lacked power sockets. There were only two, that were unfortunately placed at the passthrough to the ensuite bathroom. Second the bathroom ventilation fan wasn't working, which was quite uncomfortable after three people taking a shower. Also the room and hallway doors close very loudly if you don't pay attention. And separate small lights for the individual beds would be nice, too. These are no deal breakers though. We would come back any time.

Would Recommend: Yes

6th May 2024:

Room 3 did have a rather peculiar smell and the lower bunks mattresses need replacing

Would Recommend: Yes

30th April 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

29th April 2024:

Booked out the whole place, excellently equipped kitchen. Clean. Comfortable. Bike sheds and wash was handy. The communication before arrival was great. Didn’t actually speak or see anyone but didn’t need to.

We did a lot of mountain biking. Near Glenlivet trail centre. Tesco delivered here which was handy. Local shop has great stuff. Glen Avon hotel is friendly and had good beer.

Would Recommend: Yes

28th April 2024:

The Smugglers Hostel was a perfect location for a planed walk. I was in room 2 and I couldn’t get the radiator to heat up. I don’t know what I was doing wrong.

I went to the Clockhouse Restaurant. It was a very friendly restaurant, with good food and drinks, at a reasonable price.

Would Recommend: Yes

18th April 2024:

Nice place to stay, great kitchen and community rooms, good choice for the price. Just the shower temperature could be a bit warmer and maybe timed light in the corridor...

Go visit the whisky castle, it's worth it if you like whisky. The restaurant offers good food for reasonable prices and the small local store does offer all you need as well. Great place for hikers to pass by or use as base

Would Recommend: Yes

15th April 2024:

Easy to access, friendly communication, and a stellar location for exploring Speyside. Nothing more could be wanted!

Richmond Arms and the GlenAvon are fantastic options for a meal and a drink or a relaxing pub atmosphere.

Would Recommend: Yes

15th April 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd April 2024:

Handling very easy Kitchen well equipped The blinds in room 3 and 4 could be replaced, look bit mouldy

Would Recommend: Yes

23rd January 2024:

Would Recommend: Yes

4th January 2024:

It was excellent, thank you so much!

We loved the Glenavon pub.

Would Recommend: Yes

15th October 2023:

2nd stay in this cosy hostel with well equipped kitchen. Reasonably priced and staff are great. Secure bike storage. Short walk down Main Street to well stocked village shop and pubs.

Village shop is great

Would Recommend: Yes

6th October 2023:

My only complaint was the very bright emergency lamp in the room. Almost too bright to sleep with.

Would Recommend: Yes

1st October 2023:

It’s a hidden gem. The hostel has excellent facilities, big well equipped kitchen, hot showers and a really effective drying shed. Booking process is quick and efficient,

The village shop has all the basics, but closes about 6pm. There are three pubs in the village and two cafes and a shop devoted to selling whisky.

Would Recommend: Yes

26th September 2023:

Nice and warm hostel. very well equipped. One of the ladies showers was not draining properly.

Clockhouse restaurant is very good. Glenlivet MTB trails are great, and nice cycle there on backroads from Tomintoul.

Would Recommend: Yes

25th September 2023:

Lovely hostel. I didn’t receive an email with a room code but on arrival Oli was super helpful via What’s App. Mattresses are really uncomfortable and the springs are creaky and knackered! If I could vote for one upgrade it would be new firmer mattresses. Thanks for having us - great to see an independent hostel in Tomintoul hanging in there!

Glenavon hotel can’t find a chef so we were relieved to find the Clockhouse could take us.

Would Recommend: Yes

21st September 2023:

Bit pricey but otherwise very good.

Would Recommend: Yes

14th September 2023:

Would Recommend: Yes

11th September 2023:

We never saw any staff around, so can’t comment on that. Front door was never locked. Mattress very thin, noisy bed and tiny room

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd September 2023:

We stayed on the campsite te that was oke, there was enough space. But the toilets, the kitchen, the garbitch containers were very dirty and full of trash. We cleaned it before using because it was all dirty. I think every day it has to clean up by somebody of the staff. We also rent a room for 1 night. Also to clean. The staff was very friendly. But we complained about the cleanless, it did not change.

Would Recommend: No

26th August 2023:

Would Recommend: Yes

25th August 2023:

This hostel felt very scruffy, old beds stacked outside, pile of stones where the wall has fallen down. The kitchen facilities were excellent and the kitchen clean (except the fridge which I cleaned) and very well equipped, but the bed wasn't made up for arrival meaning we saw the stains on the pillows and mattress, could protectors not be used? This was not very nice. When I looked down the side of the bed there was some litter on the floor and lots of dirt on the skirting boards, dead insects in the bathroom and again needed a good clean. There were a lot of stains on the blue living area seats. We didn't see a member of staff the whole time we were there to report anything to. I hostel a lot and expect things to be basic, but also standards of cleanliness. It's a shame as with some cleaning we would have got a much better impression, and wouldn't even take long to do. For £80 for one adult and one child it would have probably have been better to book a bed and breakfast. I am quite sad to write a review like this as I normally love hostelling.

Would Recommend: No

10th July 2023:

Would Recommend: Yes

28th May 2023:

The hostel was very well equipped and I really enjoyed my stay. Sharon was very helpful with all my questions. I would recommend it highly to other travellers.

There was lots of information in the books and on the maps in the hostel. I also managed to catch the screen machine - the visiting cinema bus which had excellent films.

Would Recommend: Yes

10th May 2023:

Although I was unable to talk to you face to face the set up was easy to understand. A very enjoyable stay.

Would Recommend: Yes

8th May 2023:

Great location, great hostel.

Would Recommend: Yes

6th May 2023:

Perfect for us doing Cairngorm outer loop

Would Recommend: Yes

6th May 2023:

I’ve stayed here a number of times over recent years and it’s never disappointed. The location is perfectly positioned for a multitude of activities including munroing, whiskey trails, mountain biking and skiing. The host is friendly and very accommodating, when I was going to be late arriving without a specific eta they went out of their way to ensure my stay was as problem free as possible. The rooms are clean and tidy with enough charging points and lockers for all. The kitchen and dining room are enormous with excellent facilities. The drying room/shed is fitted with numerous heaters and a dehumidifier which is very effective and much better than most. Excellent stay thank you for being great hosts and so flexible. 5*

Would Recommend: Yes

17th April 2023:

Staff very friendly and helpful Only issue we had with facilities were the showers which did not work reliably.

Great location for cycling

Would Recommend: Yes

15th April 2023:

Would Recommend: Yes

19th February 2023:

Nice atmosphere, very clean, all the facilities I needed, staff were friendly and helpful. Thank you!

Beautiful spot but may need own transport - limited bus service. There is a well stocked village shop.

Would Recommend: Yes

26th September 2022:

What a great little hostel! The large kitchen area and communal space are a real highlight. The hostel is clean and tidy. It is located in the small village of Tomintoul which boasts a very good whisky shop and a couple of pubs. The location is fantastic for exploring this part of the Highlands.

The Whisky Shop is great. The Dark Skies reserve must be fab if the skies are clear.

Would Recommend: Yes

28th August 2022:

Great communication- last minute booking made very easy.

Village centre has great amenities. Shops- cafe- parks

Would Recommend: Yes

19th August 2022:

Perfect for my needs. Everything catered for. Very clean & comfortable. Oli excellent in communications.

A bike ride from Tominintoul to Glenlivet Distillery and back on a sunny day in August is very memorable. The Braes of Glenlivet are cloaked in gorgeous purple heather.

Would Recommend: Yes

18th August 2022:

Would Recommend: Yes

14th August 2022:

Great place lovely facilities can’t fault it

Made our own meals well equipped kitchen microwave so easy to heat food up

Would Recommend: Yes

13th August 2022:

Would Recommend: Yes

12th August 2022:

Would Recommend: Yes

6th August 2022:

Great little hostel, clean and cosy. Great kitchen and locked bike storage was a bonus

We were only here one night to ride the trails at Glenlivet MTB centre. Even if not into mountain biking I would recommend a visit to their cafe, lovely fresh breakfast, lunch and even themed dinner menu

Would Recommend: Yes

5th August 2022:

Nice location and small field for tents. Next to a quiet road.

Don't forget to walk top the visitor centre in town to check in... Lots of restaurants in town

Would Recommend: Yes

2nd August 2022:

Good to find, good location, nice village, great kitchen, very friendly help

Nice walk to the bridge of Avon, the village store has local products and a good selection of products

Would Recommend: Yes

28th July 2022:

Very accommodating for a last minute stay. Really helpful staff and clean facilities. We camped in the garden which was quiet. Our only gripe was due to the long grass there were a lot of midges

Good biking at Glenlivit for all abilities, an lecht is worth a visit for more advanced bikers.

Would Recommend: Yes

19th July 2022:

I camped in the garden with a small tent. The shower room and kitchen were scrupulously clean. An excellent base to travel the Cairngorms from.

Would Recommend: Yes

10th July 2022:

Kept us well informed before date of stay about entry number and bike shed number Everything you could want was there in kitchen and lots of interesting leaflets Would definitely stay there again felt very welcome

Fish and chip van on Saturday carry out available from Richmond hotel nice well stocked shop in square We walked the estate walks up carn Daimler it was great That was walk no 6 and details to be had from information centre in square we’ll marked routes

Would Recommend: Yes

10th June 2022:

Thanks for a super stay. We always get a warm welcome and the hostels has good facilities. We had a great bbq . We will be back again

Would Recommend: Yes

23rd May 2022:

Great location, close to cafes, pubs, walks, bike trails

Would Recommend: Yes

21st May 2022:

The hostel was a lovely place to stay. Oliver helped us out and communicated really well.

Would Recommend: Yes

13th May 2022:

Very helpful and easy to deal with.

Lovely stopping point with options available along the street and around the square. We had breakfast in the Hotel on the Square which was excellent , service great and very welcoming to us non residents.

Would Recommend: Yes

25th April 2022:

Would Recommend: Yes

24th April 2022:

Would Recommend: Yes

18th April 2022:

Excellent location whether you are passing through or doing lots of walks around Tomintoul. All the facilities you need. Room was clean. Guests were respectful. I would definitely stay there again.

Would Recommend: Yes

11th April 2022:

Would Recommend: Yes

29th November 2021:

First things first, this is a nice hostel in a beautiful part of the world, but this review has to be in the context of there being no power for all but the first half hour of our stay. Obviously it is a fairly rare occurrence but there are a few practical suggestions that could make life a bit easier in such circumstances. Firstly, the front door closes via an electromagnet, meaning when there is no power for long enough (there seemed to be auxiliary power for the door and a couple of emergency lights for a few hours) the front door simply cannot be closed. Secondly, having an alternative means of cooking and staying warm, even if just a BBQ / camping stove and some kind of gas-powered heater would have made a massive difference. Finally, an easily located supply of candles / torches would have been helpful as well. I say easily located as there may have been some somewhere but we couldn’t find any. This sounds like a bad review but honestly the hostel is really nice, as is Tomintoul. We were profoundly unlucky to have booked out the whole place for a trip several months in advance only to end up there on the day of a brutal winter storm. Even with the weather, our stay would have been fantastic had the power not gone out or at least come back quickly.

You’ll get a warm welcome at the Glenavon and Richmond hotels. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances (winter storm that knocked out the power for our whole time there) there isn’t much more we can say!

Would Recommend: Yes

13th October 2021:

Would Recommend: Yes

20th September 2021:

Spotless and ample accommodation, comfy beds and a friendly common room to relax in

Would Recommend: Yes

31st August 2021:

Would Recommend: Yes

24th June 2021:

Very nice hostel, clean and everything works. Not smelly. Decent shared kitchen. Needs decent lights in bedroom. Recommended. In town so pubs:bars within minutes walking. Local shop only open till 6pm.

Would Recommend: Yes

5th June 2021:

This is exactly what hostels should be.

Would Recommend: Yes

30th May 2021:

Perfect for an independent stay. Olie runs a tight ship - cheers!

Cycle from the door to Ben a'Bhuird and Ben Avon

Would Recommend: Yes

24th October 2019:

All good if a little pricey for hostel accommodation. Cost double what our previous night in. Ballater for pretty much the same facilities

Would Recommend: Yes

18th October 2019:

The kitchen is provided with all you need. The manager is really nice and willing to meet your needs

at a short distance from the Glenlivet estate walking trails. A 30-min-drive to the Autumn festival of whisky in Dufftown. Gift shop and the whisky castle + restaurants in the village

Would Recommend: Yes

10th October 2019:

This hostel is in a wonderful spot. Nice facilities and wonderfully helpful staff. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and exploring the surrounding area. Thanks

Go to the playground and ride the zip line!!!

Would Recommend: Yes

14th September 2019:

This is my favourite hostel in Scotland. I first stayed here 14 years ago with my wife. This time I visited with my friends and to my joy it still has the charm and the cosyness I remember from years ago. Also the most hospitable staff. Can't wait to come again.

The beers and the food at Glenavon really hit the spot after a long day of sightseeing

Would Recommend: Yes

29th August 2019:

Would Recommend: Yes

24th August 2019:

Very enjoyable comfty stay. Feels very homely and inviting.

Would Recommend: Yes

23rd August 2019:

Would Recommend: Yes

21st August 2019:

Really clean + comfortable hostel, with great kitchen — a good place to stay to check out the area!

Would Recommend: Yes

16th August 2019:

Would Recommend: Yes

14th August 2019:

Friendly and helpful staff. Good facilities and atmosphere.

Would Recommend: Yes

12th August 2019:

A friendly welcome awaits, this is a great hostel with large well equipped kitchen

Good local pubs just a few mins walk away

Would Recommend: Yes

1st July 2019:

Would Recommend: Yes

23rd May 2019:

Kenny was brilliant during my recent stay at Smugglers. He was friendly, welcoming, helpful and interested in what I was doing while I was taking part in The Great Outdoors Challenge 2019.

Everything you need, shops, post office and places to eat, are within a ten minute easy walk of the hostel.

Would Recommend: Yes

20th May 2019:

Smugglers hostel is a cosy, comfortable hostel in a beautiful location. Kenny was an amazingly friendly and helpful host. We really enjoyed our stay and even booked an extra night because we found the place to be just what we needed after a week on the road. Thanks for the best hostel experience we've had in scotland!

Would Recommend: Yes

13th May 2019:

Would Recommend: Yes

9th September 2018:

Friendly atmosphere, very well equiped kitchen, clean bathroom - you have everything needed by a travelling man.

Good starting point to visit Cairngorms.

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd September 2018:

Would Recommend: Yes

31st August 2018:

Great facility. The staff was really helpful and great to chat with. Other guests were very respectful. A very quiet and peaceful place. The most beautiful countryside I’ve ever seen!

Would Recommend: Yes

29th August 2018:

Great facilities, friendly staff. All clean and well organised. Bike shed useful.

Would Recommend: Yes

29th August 2018:

Great little village & great little hostel Kenny the manager is very helpful with advice on the best way to enjoy the district & the Highlands in general. Would liked to have stayed longer but ran out of time

Would Recommend: Yes

24th August 2018:

Would Recommend: Yes

12th August 2018:

Would Recommend: Yes

12th August 2018:

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd August 2018:

Friendly staff with many ideas for activities around Tomintoul

Tomintoul is wonderful town to stay, visit the Genlivet distillery

Would Recommend: Yes

20th July 2018:

Would Recommend: Yes

14th June 2018:

Good, basic hostel. Clean and comfortable.

Would Recommend: Yes

4th June 2018:

Friendly welcome, flexible, accommodating.

Lapwings grazing up at the top of the village in Spring/Summer

Would Recommend: Yes

19th May 2018:

Would Recommend: Yes

8th April 2018:

Really friendly staff and guests. Well equipped and bright kitchen. Nice lounge.

Museum in town worth a visit. We went to the Glenavon pub for a family meal and found it to be good value.

Would Recommend: Yes

30th October 2017:

Very nice and spacious hostel with all the facilities one could need! Hostel owner was very super helpful and made sure our room was warm and cosy when we arrived. Had a wonderful time here.

Would Recommend: Yes

25th September 2017:

The private room (room 5) was great. Lovely to have our own shower, sink and toilet. There was an issue on the 2nd night that the computer system had gone wrong so we were asked if we'd mind having 2 extra people in our room - and we decided to drive home - but it was all very well handled and we were given the choice of saying yes or no or getting a refund.

Went to Glenlivet MTB trails - great fun and great café.

Would Recommend: Yes

17th September 2017:

This is a small place with a very nice staff to stay some days but it a little bit old, cold and need a little bit confort like light and electrical outlet near each bed, new mattress ...

The hostel is at 5/8 min from the place of the town with pub and restaurant.

Would Recommend: Yes

10th September 2017:

We had a great stay- very clean and convenient. The bike storage was an unexpected bonus!

Would Recommend: Yes

8th September 2017:

Very friendly and helpful

Would Recommend: Yes

4th September 2017:

Would Recommend: Yes

22nd August 2017:

The Smugglers Hostel is a perfect place to stay for exploring the beautiful countryside of the Cairngorm Mountains. The management - Jane - is friendly, capable and really taking care about the guests. Thanks a lot for hosting our two families in that pleasant way!

All the local restaurants, bars and pubs at Tomintoul are worth while to be visited. All single malt connoisseurs should visit The Whisky Castle (6 Main Street)! Try to explore the region around Tomintoul by walking on the different trails and enjoy the broad variety of mushrooms and berries along the walks. Walking boots are helpful.

Would Recommend: Yes

Thank you so much for taking time to leave us such a lovely review. So glad you ejoyed your stay here at Smugglers Best Wishes Jayne

19th July 2017:

Lovely place to stay,clean,good facilities,friendly staff who are very helpful, especially to foreign visitors, who don't know the area.

Good central location, fine for a base if you want to explore morayshire and the spey valley, mostly superb roads, good for cycling/motorcycling.

Would Recommend: Yes

Thanks so much for leaving such a great review , its always good to hear back from guests & know how much they have enjoyed their stay & all that this beautiful area has to offer . JAYNE

12th June 2017:

Would Recommend: Yes

29th May 2017:

Would Recommend: Yes

14th May 2017:

All was fine thank you

Brilliant selection of wisky at The Richmond Hotel

Would Recommend: Yes

11th May 2017:

Would Recommend: Yes

17th April 2017:

Very friendly and helpful staff, a great place to stay when visiting this area.

Great food and whisky, you can't miss it!

Would Recommend: Yes

12th April 2017:

The room was fairly basic with bunk beds but most importantly was warm and cosy, and very clean. The shower/bathroom facilities were also very clean with instant hot water and heating so made for a pleasant experience. The Smugglers has a huge kitchen-dining area which is very well equipped with everything you need, plenty of storage space for food and clean dishtowels and cloths etc. Our host was very friendly, helpful and welcoming, talking to us about the the local area and recommending walking routes and so on for us. Although check out was 10am he very kindly allowed us to return after our 10K at Glenlivet to shower before heading off home. We had a lovely time here and would definitely recommend to others.

Tomintoul is a small village with some beautiful walks and hills nearby. It is also a good base for travelling further afield to Aviemore (get your food shopping/supplies here on the way as the local shop is limited in range), Glenmore, Glenlivet, Grantown on Spey for day trips and takes in a stretch of the Speyside Way. There is no cash machine in the village so you will need to come prepared.

Would Recommend: Yes

30th October 2016:

Hostel has good facilities, is well equipped. Was quite chilly in communal areas and rooms. Hostel manager very friendly and helpful both prior and during my stay.

Had a good evening at the Glen Avon hotel and a very nice meal at the Clockhouse restaurant. Lots of walks can be done straight from the hostel without having to travel.

Would Recommend: Yes

11th October 2016:

comfortable stay cold but adequate room heaters. think direction sign to hostel would be useful on road

pleasant village circular walk very nice. lovely coffee at fire station café. lot to see at museum

Would Recommend: Yes

27th September 2016:

First class hostel. Very much appreciated the friendly, helpful and very efficient hostess. She is a gem !

The Glen Avon Hotel is the town square is the place to go in the evenings. It has a cosy bar with nice ales and excellent food at reasonable prices. At present our hostess at the hostel works there in the evenings as the chef and her service there is the same very high standard as that afforded by her in the hostel.

Would Recommend: Yes

22nd September 2016:

Would Recommend: Yes

23rd August 2016:

Would Recommend: Yes

7th August 2016:

Price vs Quality is good.

Would Recommend: Yes

7th August 2016:

Would Recommend: Yes

21st July 2016:

Would Recommend: Yes

5th July 2016:

Small quiet wee Hostel snuggled in the heart of the Cairngorm mountains, a superb base for anything outdoors. Has a well laid out kitchen dining and sitting area and is ideal for small groups.

Friendly and welcoming locals in stores and would also recommend the Glen Avon Hotel for food and drink.

Would Recommend: Yes

4th July 2016:

lovely little hostel. I'd definitely stay there again.

Would Recommend: Yes

26th May 2016:

Would Recommend: Yes

24th April 2016:

It is a pity we stayed on a night when the hostel was otherwise empty - I imagine the common room has a nice atmosphere when full. Lovely location, and really friendly staff.

I came up to run a race so I didn't do much sightseeing. Loads in the area to do though.

Would Recommend: Yes

20th April 2016:

Would Recommend: Yes

18th April 2016:

Staff were very welcoming and friendly.

Would Recommend: Yes

11th April 2016:

Very helpful staff. The hostel was warm, comfortable and well equipped.

Walk out of the village to Delnabo Bridge, cross the River Avon and go up to see the magnificent views of the Ailnack Gorge.

Would Recommend: Yes

3rd December 2015:

Would Recommend: Yes

23rd October 2015:

Had a good few nights at Smugglers thanks to everyone, Hope to see you again soon. Mike

Would Recommend: Yes

18th October 2015:

Would Recommend: Yes

17th October 2015:

Really good family room. Even perfect for us (2 adults and 4 wee kiddies), lovely having the en suite bathroom. It is a shame we didn't have more time to explore more around Tomintoul. The tracks and paths look brilliant for the bikes...we'll just need to come back another time. The heating system in the hostel would benefit from being upgraded.

Beautiful area to explore, but save some time to wander around the pathways around and about the village.

Would Recommend: Yes

5th October 2015:

Excellent staff who are very knowledgeable and helpful.

The marked walks are very good. The Glenlivet Distillery is also excellent, and the tours are free. Interesting museum in Tomintoul.

Would Recommend: Yes

28th September 2015: