Ullapool Youth Hostel

The hostel sits right on the water's edge, with the chatter of oystercatchers and the smell of salt air drifting through the windows each morning.

This one works brilliantly for walkers tackling the far north-west Highlands — Ullapool's the gateway to Assynt and the Summer Isles — and anyone wanting a proper base without the faff of tent pegs in Scottish weather. You've got camping pods if you want your own space, or hostel beds if you're happy with the buzz of other travellers. Dogs are a maybe, so worth asking ahead if you're bringing one. It's open all year, which matters up here when the seasons swing hard.

Facilities aren't spelled out in detail, but it's a working youth hostel so expect the essentials — showers, a kitchen, somewhere warm to dry your boots. Campfires need checking when you arrive. The vibe's practical and friendly, with that particular energy you get when climbers, cyclists and coast-path walkers all end up round the same table swapping stories.