Surprising history of Glasgow’s first youth hostel

The city’s first youth hostel was created in the old Cathcart Police Station and Barracks on Clarkston Road in 1938.

For the princely sum of ‘one and thruppence’ (one shilling and three old pennies) hostellers could sleep in a room which would once have housed far less savoury characters.

Early hostellers, c 1932 Pic: Hostelling Scotland

In his book ‘An illustrated history of SYHA’s Youth Hostels 1931-2011’ volunteer archivist John Martin explains that agreement had been reached between Glasgow Corporation and the SYHA as early as September 1937 for the plan to turn the old police station into a youth hostel.

The Corporation agreed to pay 50 per cent of the rent.

“The financial assistance of civic or county bodies in the setting up of a youth hostel was certainly not new on the Continent…but this was to be the first example in Scotland,” the book explains.

The hostel opened in time for the Empire Exhibition of May 28, 1938. Councillor Patrick Dollan, who would become Lord Provost, performed the opening ceremony.

Handbook from 1932. Pic: Hostelling Scotland

Two open afternoons were held in the August of that year (so that, presumably, parents could see the kind of place in which their sons and daughters would spend their summer holidays and adventurous weekends.)

In his book, John adds: “Just after the outbreak of war, the Scottish Youth Hostelling and Cycling News of October 31, 1939, was able to offer this encouragement. ‘Part is still in use, approached from Clarkston Road and one stair up. Bring own stove.”

During the Second World War, the building was open to members some of the time, but was occupied ‘piecemeal’ by the military, then the fire service.

Then it became the Polish Youth Hostel, where 43 young Polish refugees were billeted during training for military service at the age of 18.

A postcard of the Glasgow Youth Hostel, c 50s-60s

By the end of the war, a new, larger hostel for Glasgow was sought.

In May 1945, plans to buy a corner building on Woodlands Terrace for £2500 fell through, but in 1948, the SYHA bought Number 13 Woodlands Terrace for £4000.

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It could accommodate around 60. Ever resourceful, the Association brought its cycle shed from Lochgilphead to Glasgow and in in 1950, accommodation was increased by 16.

Numbers, 10, 11 and 12 were added as the years went on.

In 1992, it moved to Park Terrace, to the building once occupied by the Beacons Hotel. (Incidentally, one of Glasgow’s leading restaurants, La Bonne Auberge, started life as a Mediterranean brasserie in the basement of the Beacons.)

The new building was officially opened by Lord Provost Bob Innes in March 1993.

Its booking system was ahead of its time, pioneering the use of state-of-the-art fax machines for international customers.

A serious fire damaged the hostel in February 2003, and while much was down to smoke and water, the restoration of the heritage building was a slow process. A million pound refit took until the following June, 2004 and great care was taken to preserve and complement the original Victorian features of the building.

Intricate details of the Victorian townhouse were saved after the 2003 fire

It is still going strong today.

It is 90 years since the first youth hostels opened to intrepid travellers in Scotland.

To celebrate its landmark birthday, Hostelling Scotland (formerly the Scottish Youth Hostelling Association) is offering all babies born in the month of February 2021 a free lifetime membership, worth £150. Find out more on the Hostelling Scotland website.

Did you go hostelling? Have you ever stayed in the Glasgow Youth Hostel? What are your favourite memories of trips around Scotland?

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