Home Find a Hostel Hostel Info Experiences Groups Families Blog About SIH Jobs SIH Board of Directors Our current Board of Directors was voted in at the SIH AGM in December 2020. They are all volunteers and passionate about hostelling: Dominique Drewe-Martin, Ballater Hostel Chair. Dominique joined as a SIH Director in 2017 I moved from Yorkshire to Aberdeenshire with my husband Daniel in August 2016 to take over Ballater Hostel. I previously worked in banking for 11 years – so a slight change in career but we have never looked back. Originally called Habitat @Ballater, the hostel has 29 beds and is set in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. We’ve slowly put our mark on the place – officially changing the name in May 2017. We’ve always been enthusiastic hostellers (first night of our honeymoon was spent in a hostel - Skiddaw House) and we don’t just rely on feedback from guests either – we cook in the kitchen, eat in the dining room and have slept in every bed – we test out noise levels, comfort, usability - all to enhance the customer experience. We love spending time talking, sharing stories and mixing with our guests. I personally jumped at the chance to join in a onesie party and we even had one group run a ceilidh from our living room! I’m a keen walker, caver (although not many caves in Scotland!) and outdoor enthusiast, dabble in running, occasionally cycle, orienteer when I can, and am keen to learn the bagpipes! www.ballater-hostel.com Gregor Barclay, Saddle Mountain Hostel Vice Chair. Greg joined as a SIH Director in 2020 Greg and his partner Helen have owned and run Saddle Mountain Hostel in Invergarry since 2015. Greg worked in the legal profession before and hasn't regretted the change. He is an active outdoors person and loves walking and cycling. There are few parts of the Highlands which he has not visited. On holiday Greg and Helen's accommodation of choice is a hostel and they have stayed at many SIH member hostels. www.saddlemountainhostel.scot Jackie Gillies, Skye Cowshed Jackie joined as a SIH Director in 2019 Jackie manages The Cowshed, Skye's Boutique Bunkhouse in Uig. Jackie's management and customer service skills are show in the great reviews the hostel gets. Using SIH as a place to network and share ideas is important to Jackie, she has been a great help building the SIH community. www.skyecowshed.co.uk Russell Thompson, Black Isle Hostel Russell joined as a SIH Director in 2020 Russell has worked in hotels throughout the UK doing every job from Receptionist to General Manager. He is now making sure there is a warm welcome for every guest as the Accommodation Manager for Black Isle Brewery, Scotland's only Organic Brewery, looking after the hostel and bar rooms. www.blackislebrewery.com/hostel/ Pam Richmond, Argyll Backpackers Pam Joined as a SIH Director in 2021 More information to follow! www.argyllbackpackers.com COVID19 Board of Directors Contact Join SIH SIH Mobile App Quality Standards Starting a Hostel Business 21 reasons to go SIH Hostelling Travel Links Weather © Scottish Independent Hostels. All Rights Reserved. Contact information for Scottish Independent Hostels Privacy Policy Cookies Members