Visit to Smugglers Hostel open for bookings

Plunkett Scotland's project visit to the award-winning Smugglers Hostel in Tomintoul is open for bookings.

The visit is part of the Seeing is Believing programme delivered by Plunkett Scotland and funded by the Prince's Countryside Fund. The programme provides an opportunity for rural communities that are thinking about setting up a community-owned enterprise to go on a study visit or work with a community mentor.

The programme is due to close at the end of October and for their final round of support Plunkett Scotland have a number of project visits planned, including a visit to the community-owned Smugglers Hostel in Tomintoul on 27 October.

The hostel offers four star visitor accommodation and is run by the local community through the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust (T&G Trust). The hostel forms part of the regeneration plan the area and since taking it on in 2013 the Trust has developed into a successful enterprise, doubling its visitor numbers, creating job and volunteering opportunities and using surplus profit to support other local projects.

Plunkett Scotland are delighted that the T&G Trust can host a visit and the day will offer a fantastic opportunity to hear first-hand about developing and running community-owned visitor accommodation as well as meeting other groups that are exploring the idea.

Other visits planned include a community-owned shop, bakery, filling station and a co-operative pub. There are a few spaces left and if you would like to join us on any of these please contact Kirsty.maccoll@plunkett.co.uk before the 30th September.