Torridon Youth Hostel welcomes back first-ever guest to celebrate 50th anniversary

A youth hostel in the Highlands has celebrated its 50th anniversary by welcoming back its first-ever guest.

Torridon Youth Hostel, which opened in September 1975, has welcomed generations of adventurers through its doors.

Richard “Rick” Worrell believes he may have been the hostel’s very first guest when he stumbled into the hostel’s opening ceremony.

The 68-year-old originally stayed at the hostel in Achnasheen when he was 18, coming across it during a solo cycle tour of the Highlands.

Rick, who described Torridon as a “special place”, was only allowed to stay after producing a handwritten booking slip.

“It’s incredible to see Torridon again after 50 years”, he said.

Rick came across the hostel during a solo cycling trip of the Highlands. Story Shop via Supplied

“When I first stayed here as a teenager, it felt like such an adventure, and coming back now has brought all of that flooding back.

“The hostel has aged so gracefully and remains a really special place.”

Torridon is one of 29 youth hostels run by Hostelling Scotland, which aims to offer “affordable” accommodation in some of Scotland’s “best-loved” locations.

Its network also includes 24 affiliated hostels.

Torridon Youth Hostel manager, Debbie Maskill, said: “It’s been wonderful to hear Rick’s story and to welcome him back.

“For half a century this hostel has offered a warm Highland welcome to walkers, climbers, cyclists and families from across the world, it’s really special to celebrate that.”

Rick said the hostel has aged so "gracefully". — Rick said the hostel has aged so “gracefully”. Story Shop via Supplied

Margo Paterson, chief executive of Hostelling Scotland, added: “Torridon has been one of our most popular hostels over the last 50 years and it continues to inspire new generations to discover and enjoy this extraordinary part of Scotland.

“It’s amazing to meet this milestone, just to think of how many adventures we’ve been a part of over the last 50 years.

“More and more people are looking at hostelling as a great option for their trips in Scotland. Not only is it a flexible and sustainable choice, but our locations are hard to beat.

“We hope the next 50 years will see even more people find the best of this diverse and exciting country through hostelling, including at Torridon.”