Gardiesfauld youth hostel, camping and caravan site - stunning quality and value

I had a look round the Gardiesfauld Youth Hostel in Uyeasound, Unst (though you don't have to be youthful!) camping and caravan site today, partly in my official role as Unst Tourist Development Officer and partly because I'll be parking my camper van (if it gets to Shetland) there next week.

And it's really excellent. The hostel itself can accommodate 35 people in a variety of rooms (1 x 11 bed dormitory, 2 x 6 bed dormitories (one with disabled en-suite) 2 x 5 bed dormitories (1 with en-suite) 1 x 2 bed dormitory. And there's loads of walled garden space for tents and five caravan stances with power and water. There's a beach, a pier and a truly lovely conservatory, as well as a cosy sitting room. Showers and the like are shared between the hostel and the campsite.

All this for £15 per person per night, £15 per caravan or camper van if you want the hook-ups, and only six quid per tent or unconnected camper.

It's run by a trust and is both immaculately clean and very nicely decorated and furnished (I particularly liked the Unst-made bean bag with Shetland tweed top!)

Find out more from the Gardiesfauld website here: http://www.gardiesfauld.shetland.co.uk/ but book early, as it can get very busy. There are still beds available in June, by the way, though the rest of Unst is filling up very quickly if you're thinking of coming then.