At the end of December the hostel closed it’s doors on the 2014 Season. There are exciting times ahead with the interior of the hostel undergoing some refurbishment and our garden area is being developed to enhance the exterior of the hostel for our guests.
2014 was a great second season for us as guests started coming in their numbers early this year. It was a fun, busy season. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with some great volunteers from April through to October. Siobhan, Shaun, Laura, Tony & Helen and Jamie. We are recruiting for volunteers again for the 2015 season and I hope I get such a good bunch this year!
Our new Family/Private room proved very popular and we have met some truly lovely families. The kids all love the adventure playground just up the road, the local pubs are family friendly and I’m sure our garden area is going to be really appreciated by our guests throughout the summer season this year.
Tomintoul Games Day in July and The Smugglers had a packed out hostel. The communal room was buzzing, several ‘wee drams’ were shared, and our much loved repeat guest Tom came cruising back into Tomintoul on his motorbike. Tom visits all of the Highland Games and has an impressive set of Tartan which he puts on once he’s got out of his bikers leathers!
Motorbikes… Tomintoul was full of them for the preconvention weekend in September and the hostel was full of a lovely group of motor bike enthusiasts who came for the second year running. I feel sure that we have not seen the last of Alan and his fellow bikers. For those who use pedal power, The Glenlivet Bike Trails have provided some of our hostellers with great trails to enjoy.
Our guests are the reason I love working at the hostel, and the remarkable characters I have met are too many to mention. We have had collective cake tasting, whisky sampling and photo sharing. It amazes me that there are so many interesting people out there. However, one thing I am sure of. The 2015 season is going to be even better!
Kerry
