High Street Hostel

Edinburgh Hostel Facilities

As Edinburgh’s original independent hostel, we’ve been helping backpackers sleep together since 1985. Offering affordable accommodation right in the heart of Old Town Edinburgh, we’re just a few minutes walk from Waverley Train Station.

Our historic 470 year old building was originally known as Morton House and belonged to the 4^th Earl of Morton who was beheaded in 1581 for his involvement in the murder of Mary Queen of Scots’ husband! In the present day however, our guests can enjoy our large common room, fully equipped kitchen, clean comfortable rooms and free WI-FI. Just step out of our front door to experience all the history and culture which Scotland’s capital city has to offer.

Rooms are cleaned daily and each bed comes with bed linen and is equipped with a locker for security and peace of mind. Our foyer lounge has free WI-FI so you can stay connected to your friends and family. Whereas our large main lounge is a perfect place to chill out, relax, meet other travellers, and play pool & other games. The nearby shops offer everything you may need so you can show off your cooking skills (or maybe lack thereof) in our fully equipped self-catering kitchen.  You’ll also receive great discounts on food and drinks at some of Edinburgh’s best local pubs. Our friendly staff can offer you some great advice on what to see and do and where to eat and drink. They can also arrange for you to make the most of your time while you are Scotland and book you on a MacBackpackers tour to the highlands.

Please note that our check-in time is 2pm but guests are welcome to drop their bags off earlier and use the facilities the Hostel has to offer.

FREE Bed linen                                                 FREE Thursday Pub crawl

FREE Lockers with locks                                    FREE movie night and  popcorn

FREE daily walking tours                                    FREE Maps and Advice

FREE Coffee, tea and hot chocolate                    FREE Hair dryers

FREE Electrical adaptors                                   FREE WI-FI

FREE Book exchange                                        No curfew

Towel rental for £0.20                                      Laundry service for £3.50

Burger Night Friday and Sunday £3.50                 Weekly Pool tournament £1.00

Local food and drink discounts                           Minutes from the bus and train

Breakfast for £1.90                                          Kitchen use and fridge space

Luggage and bike storage

We also have two other hostels in the Old Town of Edinburgh; the small & friendly Royal Mile Backpackers and Castle Rock Hostel which has awesome views of Edinburgh Castle!

Go green and carbon neutral; Fifteen years ago we bought a 75+ hectare woodland that absorbs more than the total CO2 emissions from fuel used in our hostel and also the other properties in our small MacBackpackers hostel and bus company chain. We also try our best to re-cycle everything (with your help) and our electricity is all sourced from renewable, non-nuclear supplies. Stay with us for a great holiday and minimal environmental impact!

Just a few reminders;
You will need photographic ID to sign.
For a booking of 6 people or more please contact the hostel directly.
No stag or hen parties please
Minimum age to stay here is 18 years

Please note that our bathrooms are unisex [but with private cubicles of course].
Our cancellation policy is 48 hours prior to 10:30am on the day of arrival.

No-shows will be charged the equivalent of two nights stay.