Adventurelife
New Member
Perth does have Hostels for the Homeless which really just doss houses for down and outs. We certainly wouldn't get into that. But for Tourists/Backpackers that is a very good suggestion. For tourists, apart from the coastal roads there is is no other way to the Highlands other than through Perth. It is one advantage that Perth has over most Scottish Towns and Cities is that it is perfectly placed on the road network. Assuming that the kind of Tourists who use Hostels do not do their entire holiday on foot, I guess they must use buses and trains at some point. I myself was a member of the Youth Hostel Association years ago, when I did holidaying in Scotland. As far as I know, like you say, there is none of those type of Hostels in this area.
Hi Colin
The youth hostel association is struggling. It's city center ones do very well and a few more but they all have to support all the ones that make massive losses. They are currently consolidating and selling off a lot.
They also did not see the growth of the private owned hostel coming along. These are much higher quality and being run by owner operators gives the clients a better experience.
I alone place over 6000 bed nights in hostels around Scotland and I am only a very small player. Perth as you say is in a strategic position but a lot of the companies who control a lot of the market drive straight past Perth on route for the highlands. I would suggest that you speak to people like Rabbies Tours. Haggis Tours etc if you did think this was a route worth exploring.
Peter





