A Refurbished Hostel for All Ages

There’s good news for student-style travelers planning trips to Scotland. About $1 million has just been spent to refurbish a centrally located youth hostel in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.

Renovations for the Eglinton Youth Hostel include smaller dormitory rooms, an all-day reception area, cafeteria services, a self-catering kitchen and a lounge.

Located on a quiet crescent in the center of the city, the Eglinton hostel is at 18 Eglinton Crescent (locally, telephone 031-337-1120) until 11:30 p.m. Curfew is 2 a.m.

Eglinton is one of about 80 youth hostels in Scotland. Although most guests are in their teens and 20s, there are no age restrictions. Some hostels are open only during summer, and some year-round facilities close for their own holiday period.

A city where you can still find cobblestone alleyways, elegant Georgian homes and cozy pubs, Edinburgh is dominated by a majestic 12th-Century castle.

But Edinburgh’s charm is only one reason that tourists flock there each year.

The Edinburgh International Festival, one of the world’s largest arts festivals, attracts many international stars in addition to travelers from throughout the world. In 1991, it will be held Aug. 11-31.

Another major event is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a nighttime display of pageantry at Edinburgh Castle, set this year for Aug. 2-24. From March 22--31, Edinburgh will hold its annual folk music and dance festival.

For more information about youth hostels in Scotland, check with the American Youth Hostel Assn. at (213) 831-8846, or write to the Scottish Youth Hostel Assn. at 7 Glebe Crescent, Stirling, Scotland FK8 2J8. Stirling is 35 miles southeast of Edinburgh.

In addition to providing information about lodgings, the Scottish Youth Hostel Assn. can provide information on package tour rates for independent travelers.

Highland Wayfarer packages, for example, combine transportation through Scotland’s Highlands with vouchers for dormitory accommodations in a choice of Scottish hostels. The travel passes are valid for unlimited rail and ferry transport, and one-third off bus fares in the Highlands and islands.

The SYHA reduction is significant: a $199 eight-day package costs $159; a 15-day version of the package is $269.

The association also offers Explore Scotland packages, with Citylink Coach passes for travel throughout the mainland of Scotland and the island of Skye. Packages include youth hostel accommodations, hostel handbooks, a touring map and discount passes.

Youth hostel membership also entitles travelers to half-price entrance fees at National Trust properties in Scotland.

For more information on Scotland, contact the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071, (213) 628-3525. Ask for a free copy of “Scotland--A Young Person’s Guide.” It contains a map indicating hostel locations and provides details, although not prices, on youth hostel travel packages.

In London, information on Scotland is available through the Scottish Tourist Board office at 19 Cockspur St., London SW1Y 5BL.