Top 10 Best Hostels in Angus

Budget Accommodation in Angus: Smaller Scale, Great Value

Angus does not have the concentration of hostels found in Edinburgh, Glasgow or along the West Highland Way. What it has instead is a dispersed network of bunkhouses, independent hostels, camping barns, bothies and budget lodges, largely serving outdoor users heading into the Angus Glens and walkers following the coast.

This makes budget travel here genuinely affordable but requires more planning than in Scotland's honeypot destinations. Beds are limited, some properties operate seasonally, and advance booking is close to essential in summer and during popular walking weekends. In return, travellers get access to some of the most accessible wild landscape in Scotland at a fraction of hotel cost.

Understanding the Categories

Budget accommodation in Angus divides into several types. Independent hostels offer dormitory and private rooms with self-catering kitchens and communal lounges. Bunkhouses are typically simpler, often attached to farms, hotels or outdoor centres, providing bunk beds, drying rooms and basic cooking facilities. Camping barns and bothies offer very basic shelter, sometimes without electricity, for a minimal fee or free in the case of Mountain Bothies Association bothies. Group hostels and outdoor centres cater to schools, scouts and clubs on an exclusive-use basis. And budget hotels, pods and campsites fill the gap for travellers who want low cost without shared dormitories.

The Top 10 Best Hostel and Budget Accommodation Options in Angus

1. Glen Doll and Glen Clova Outdoor Accommodation

The head of Glen Clova, including the Glen Doll area, is the county's premier walking base, providing access to Munros, the Jock's Road route over to Braemar and Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve. Hostel-style and bunkhouse accommodation here is purpose-built for walkers, with drying facilities, early breakfast options and detailed local route knowledge from staff.

2. Independent Hostels in the Angus Glens

Scattered across Glen Isla, Glen Prosen and Glen Esk, independent hostels occupy converted schoolhouses, farm buildings and former estate properties. They are typically small, often family-run, and offer a far more personal experience than large city hostels. Self-catering kitchens are standard, which matters given the limited dining options in remote glens.

3. Bunkhouses Attached to Hotels and Inns

Several Angus inns operate adjacent bunkhouses, combining budget sleeping accommodation with access to a proper bar and restaurant. This hybrid is particularly popular with walking and cycling groups who want low-cost beds but no interest in cooking after a long day on the hill.

4. Mountain Bothies in the Cairngorms Fringe

The Mountain Bothies Association maintains simple shelters in the hills bordering Angus, available free to walkers on a first-come basis. These are unstaffed, unheated buildings with no facilities beyond shelter and sometimes a sleeping platform. Users must carry everything in, follow the Bothy Code and leave no trace. They are an authentic and much-loved part of Scottish hill culture.

5. Coastal Budget Accommodation in Arbroath

Arbroath offers budget guest houses, small independent hostels and low-cost rooms convenient for the Angus Coastal Path, the abbey and the smokehouses. The town's rail connection makes it one of the few Angus locations genuinely accessible without a car.

6. Montrose Budget Stays and Beach Accommodation

Montrose provides affordable accommodation near a vast beach and the internationally important Montrose Basin reserve. Birdwatchers arriving for the autumn goose migration form a distinct seasonal clientele, and budget properties here often accommodate early departures for dawn observation.

7. Camping Barns and Farm Bunk Accommodation

Farm diversification across Strathmore and the glen approaches has produced camping barns and simple bunk accommodation on working farms. These offer a genuine rural experience at very low cost, usually with basic kitchen facilities, hot showers and generous parking.

8. Outdoor Centres and Group Hostels

Angus has outdoor education centres offering exclusive-use accommodation for schools, youth groups, sports clubs and corporate teams. These combine dormitory accommodation with catering options and often on-site activity provision such as climbing, canoeing and navigation training.

9. Camping Pods, Glamping and Campsites

For travellers wanting the lowest cost with some comfort, camping pods and well-equipped campsites across the Angus coast and glens offer excellent value. Pods typically provide a bed, heating and lighting without bedding, sitting neatly between camping and hostel accommodation. Scotland's access rights also permit responsible wild camping in most unenclosed land, subject to following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

10. Budget Hotel Chains and Guest Houses

Along the A90 and in the main towns, budget hotel chains and traditional guest houses provide private rooms at rates that often compete with hostel private rooms. For solo travellers who value privacy over communal atmosphere, these are frequently the better choice in Angus given the limited hostel supply.

Practical Advice for Budget Travellers

Transport is the main challenge. Public transport into the Angus Glens is very limited, so plan around your own vehicle, a bike, or pre-arranged transfers. The rail line serving Carnoustie, Arbroath and Montrose is excellent for coastal travel, and bus services connect the main towns, but reaching Glen Clova or Glen Esk without a car requires careful planning.

Self-catering saves substantially, and food shopping should be done in Forfar, Arbroath, Montrose or Kirriemuir before heading into the glens, where shops are scarce. Book ahead for summer weekends, and always confirm whether bedding is provided, as many bunkhouses expect you to bring a sleeping bag.

Check heating arrangements for winter stays, as some rural properties rely on wood burners or limited electric heating. And be realistic about mobile coverage, which is patchy in the glens, so download maps offline and leave route plans with someone before heading onto the hills.

Trends in Budget Travel

Hostelling has shifted toward more private rooms and better facilities, reflecting demand from older travellers and couples who want low cost without dormitories. Sustainability is increasingly prominent, with properties promoting car-free access, local sourcing and renewable heating. And there is growing interest in the shoulder seasons, particularly autumn, when the glens are at their most spectacular and rates are lower.

Conclusion

Angus offers genuine budget travel opportunities for walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers and anyone happy to plan ahead. The supply is smaller than in Scotland's better-known outdoor regions, which is precisely why the glens remain quiet and the coast uncrowded. Book early, bring a sleeping bag, stock up on supplies before you head inland, and you will find the county exceptionally rewarding on a modest budget.