Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Isle of Skye for other available Isle of Skye hostels and accommodations.
Please see Isle of Skye for other available Isle of Skye hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
Dun Caan Hostel in Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye is a homey, cosy, and tidy hostel that welcomes "only nice people," according to the owners and hosts, Terry and Laila.
The Location
The hostel is easy to find, as Kyleakin isn't very large and there are enough people around to ask directions. Kyleakin is the first town you come through when you come to Skye across the bridge between Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye. It is a small village that has several backpackers' hostels. Amongst these, Dun Caan Hostel is the homiest and more like a bed and breakfast than a hostel really.
Kyleakin is easily reached by bus from other places on the isle of Skye, mainly Portree (the main town) or Armadale (where the ferry to Mallaig arrives and departs). Kyleakin is quite far from the rest of the isle of Skye, and if you don't have a car, the bus is your only option. There are not too many buses; if you want to spend your day doing something, you need to get the earliest bus at 7:50 a.m. The last bus back to Kyleakin from Portree goes at 5:15 p.m. If your aim is to see the isle of Skye rather than hanging out in a nice hostel with fellow backpackers, then perhaps Kyleakin isn't the place to stay.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel has three rooms -- one with three bunk beds, one with two bunk beds, and one with two single beds -- with twelve beds in total. The rooms are homey, with sturdy bunk beds, colorful yet tasteful walls, and enough room for storage of your stuff. The six-bed dorm room has its own shower, the other two rooms share a bathroom that is downstairs. In addition, there is a toilet and sink on the first floor.
All bathrooms, like the rest of the hostel, have nice wood paneling, lending the place a warm feel. The showers work well, are clean and spacious enough to allow you to change. Hooks for clothes are provided. Although it says on the Dun Caan website that they have a laundry service, this is not the case, and you'll be sent to Portree, an hour away by bus, to get your dirty clothes clean again.
Common Spaces
The living room of Dun Caan is very comfortable, a great place to relax. There's a tiny TV, and plenty of books and games. There is also a Wi-Fi connection, but only a somewhat outrageous price (we think any modern hostel should offer free Wi-Fi). At night, the living room is a good place to meet your fellow guests and socialize. In addition, there's also a kitchen that's large enough to hold a big table. The kitchen is well equipped with quality kitchenware and is a good place to cook your meals. Just make sure to always immediately do all your washing up, because although hostess Laila is friendly, she's also strict and you wouldn't want her to get cross with you.
Summary
Dun Caan is a cosy, homey hostel where well-behaved backpackers stay. If you'd rather party and not adhere to many rules, Dun Caan is not the place to stay, but if you like to stay in a hostel with nice, good people, it is. The hostel is great, but its connection by bus to the rest of Skye rather poor. Consider these things before booking a stay at Dun Caan.
The Location
The hostel is easy to find, as Kyleakin isn't very large and there are enough people around to ask directions. Kyleakin is the first town you come through when you come to Skye across the bridge between Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye. It is a small village that has several backpackers' hostels. Amongst these, Dun Caan Hostel is the homiest and more like a bed and breakfast than a hostel really.
Kyleakin is easily reached by bus from other places on the isle of Skye, mainly Portree (the main town) or Armadale (where the ferry to Mallaig arrives and departs). Kyleakin is quite far from the rest of the isle of Skye, and if you don't have a car, the bus is your only option. There are not too many buses; if you want to spend your day doing something, you need to get the earliest bus at 7:50 a.m. The last bus back to Kyleakin from Portree goes at 5:15 p.m. If your aim is to see the isle of Skye rather than hanging out in a nice hostel with fellow backpackers, then perhaps Kyleakin isn't the place to stay.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel has three rooms -- one with three bunk beds, one with two bunk beds, and one with two single beds -- with twelve beds in total. The rooms are homey, with sturdy bunk beds, colorful yet tasteful walls, and enough room for storage of your stuff. The six-bed dorm room has its own shower, the other two rooms share a bathroom that is downstairs. In addition, there is a toilet and sink on the first floor.
All bathrooms, like the rest of the hostel, have nice wood paneling, lending the place a warm feel. The showers work well, are clean and spacious enough to allow you to change. Hooks for clothes are provided. Although it says on the Dun Caan website that they have a laundry service, this is not the case, and you'll be sent to Portree, an hour away by bus, to get your dirty clothes clean again.
Common Spaces
The living room of Dun Caan is very comfortable, a great place to relax. There's a tiny TV, and plenty of books and games. There is also a Wi-Fi connection, but only a somewhat outrageous price (we think any modern hostel should offer free Wi-Fi). At night, the living room is a good place to meet your fellow guests and socialize. In addition, there's also a kitchen that's large enough to hold a big table. The kitchen is well equipped with quality kitchenware and is a good place to cook your meals. Just make sure to always immediately do all your washing up, because although hostess Laila is friendly, she's also strict and you wouldn't want her to get cross with you.
Summary
Dun Caan is a cosy, homey hostel where well-behaved backpackers stay. If you'd rather party and not adhere to many rules, Dun Caan is not the place to stay, but if you like to stay in a hostel with nice, good people, it is. The hostel is great, but its connection by bus to the rest of Skye rather poor. Consider these things before booking a stay at Dun Caan.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2011
Their Description
Dun Caan Hostel Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | Castle View, Pier Road, Isle of Skye (Kyleakin), Inner Hebrides, Scotland |
| Location | |
| Website | www.skyerover.co.uk |
| Telephone | +44 (0)1599 534087 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Excellent This is a wonderful hostel. It is clean, quiet, cozy, well equipped, and comfortable. The owners are interesting people and very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. You can park on the street out front without any problems. It's a great base for exploration of the Isle of Skye. This is not a party hostel, rather it's a good place to relax and reflect on quiet, foggy, salty Scottish nights! — Ben , Canada (2009-10-04) Clean, inviting, well located, and hosted by a charming couple. When I visited the Isle of Skye it was after almost three weeks of living in hostels, a different one every night. After a few too many marginal or bad experiences, I was quite pleased to find Dun Caan. It was a welcome relief. It was clean. It was comfortable. It was a place for a good night's sleep. I enjoyed my stay and the hospitality of Laila and Terry. They were pleasant and informative folk who wanted you to enjoy their home. If I were a noisy party animal then I'm not sure I'd have liked Dun Caan but I'm not, and Dun Caan was just the place for me. Great value for wonderful home base on the Isle of Skye! — Travis Good , USA (2007-09-10) If only I could give them 6million stars!!!!!!! Dun Caan was my first port of call on the amazing Isle of Skye and my few nights there changed the entire course of my life...I am not kidding - love, family, career...the lot. Terry & Laila became good friends (but were great from the first instant - just don't lose your key in the Haakon Bar and attempt to break in at 3am! Terry can be very scary!). Kyleakin's full of hostels but none compare - & I worked in all the other ones! Dun Caan isn't a hostel - it's like a home! — Hector (2006-06-07) a great home-from-home feeling hostel.
was a great time staying there.
it's very familiar and the owners can tell you a lot about the isle of skye, things to see and to do. there's also a lot of brochures, books, pics and maps.
definitely a great place to stay.
...and to go back!
greetings to laila and terry — mirj (2006-02-04)