YOUTH HOSTELS IN SCOTLAND
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—As the Spectator has quite a considerable circulation in Scotland, I would be glad if you would give me the oppor- tunity of reminding your readers that Scotland has a very vigorous and progressive Youth Hostel movement of its
own. The Scottish Association has opened two hostels to date, will open at least two more in the next five weeks, and hopes to have quite a number opened during the course of the Summer. The Scottish hostels, with one exception, will be permanent.
The Association is affiliated to the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland, and members have to sign a declaration that they will leave no litter, that they will leave the hostels tidy. and that they will respect all the amenities of the countryside. These rules will be rigorously enforced. The movement is attracting great attention in Scotland, and the membership is increasing every day.
We should be very grateful indeed if in Scotland readers of the Spectator could help the movement financially. We could, I think, engage to build a " Spectator Hostel " in the Highlands at a cost of £400, or a small one for even less.
It is interesting to note that the historic intimacy between Scotland and the Continent bids fair to be revived. The Norwegian Youth Hostels Association have entered into an agreement of reciprocity with the Northern kingdom on terms which the Youth Hostels Association of Great Britain, as the English Association is called, have seen fit, for reasons best known to themselves, to refuse.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ALAN FOTHERGILL
(Hon. National Secretary, Scottish Youth Hostels Association).
Olivedale, Salerno, Midlothian. - [We are delighted to draw the attention of our readers to the work of the Scottish Youth Hostels Association. We hope they will adopt Dr. Fothergill's suggestion and equip a Spectator hostel in the Highlands.—ED. Spectator.]
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