Castle Rock Hostel

OVER 18's ONLY - NO CHILDREN ALLOWED

*PLEASE NOTE: Due to having shared facilities, Castle Rock cannot be used for self isolation when arriving in Scotland from a country that requires a day 2 test. Please check your local COVID rules before travelling, as we may need to turn away guests at the door who are forced to self isolate*

If booking for 5 or more people, please contact the hostel directly prior to booking.


Reception is now open 24/7!


Castle Rock Hostel is fabulously located right beside Edinburgh Castle! Our palatial hostel offers wonderful character, with a mix of grandeur and a backpacker vibe!

Enjoy being in Edinburgh's best location & being at the very heart of the city. We are just a stroll from the bus, train and the airport bus and a 1 minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, 1 minute from the Royal Mile & 1 minute from the Grassmarket. We are in a relatively quiet street but the city's wonderful, late night-life is also just around the corner ideal!

Built in 1846 and turned into a backpackers hostel in 1997, we have packed this grand old building full of art, character and antiquity. Some people say it is more an art gallery or museum than a hostel. We think you will love it with our bright, sunny and spacious rooms and great facilities like FREE Wi-Fi, a movie room, a delightful patio and a fire place for those cold winter nights as well as plenty of room to kick back and relax or join in the fun with other travelers.

Our receptionists will always give you a friendly welcome and can help with any questions about what to see in Edinburgh or about travel around Scotland. We aim to look after you totally so you can have the best holiday possible. Here's a list of more that we offer!

Truly superb location under the castle ramparts
Open 24 hours every day of the year
Bed-side lockers in all rooms
24 hour Safe for total security.
Vibrant atmosphere with a choice of lounges
Pick up point for a Free city walking tour
Big lounge with Jukebox, pool table, piano, free tea & coffee
Luggage storage
Free hair dryers

ART everywhere!
Big screen movie lounge with both Scottish and mainstream movies
Internet lounge with Wi-Fi
Posh lounge with piano and fire place
Hot and powerful showers
Unisex bathrooms (with locked cubicles)
Large self-catering kitchen
Laundry service £4.00
Clean bed linen (with properly fitted sheets)
MacBackpackers tours pick-up point
No hidden charges
No Stag or hen parties
Minutes from the bus and train
Fabulous views over the city
Scottish owned - backpacker run
We also have two other hostels in the Old Town of Edinburgh; the small & vibrant Royal Mile Backpackers and the historic High Street Hostel, Edinburgh's original independent hostel!

Just a few reminders;
* We are an 18+ hostel.
* We have a 7 night maximum stay- this includes making consecutive separate reservations.
* We do not have a lift as we are in a heritage building and all our rooms are either up or downstairs! You will need to walk uphill to get here so be warned your legs will feel the burn but it's oh so worth it!
* If you do not show up on the arrival date of your booking you will be charged the first night and the rest of your booking will be cancelled.

SPECIAL CANCELLATION POLICY FOR AUGUST/NEW YEARS / HOGMANAY: All New Years / Hogmanay reservations between the 30th of December and the 1st of January must be cancelled 7 days in advance prior to 3pm on the arrival date. This is the same for bookings made during the Fringe Festival in August.
If it is less than 7 days in advance, YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE FIRST NIGHT.
*Please note that bookings made over New Years Eve will be charged in advance in full on the 21st of December.

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!

Castle Rock reserves the right to charge any guest who causes damage to the hostel a fine of up to £100 depending on the severity of the damage caused.