Fears over youth hostel closures

Coldingham Youth Hostel is among those facing closure

Concerns are being voiced in rural areas after the Scottish Youth Hostel Association announced plans to close seven of its 53 hostels.

The association is considering new facilities in more centralised locations such as Fort William, Portree and Aberfeldy.

The association said the closures would reduce running costs, leaving more money for popular services elsewhere.

The SYHA said it intended to keep job losses to a minimum.

It announced last month that it planned to close hostels at Armadale and Kyleakin on Skye; Loch Lochy at Laggan in Lochaber; Killin in Perthshire; Coldingham in the Borders; Inverey in Deeside; and Glendevon in the Ochils.

Concerns have been expressed by councillors in Coldingham, while residents in Killin believe the hostel is an important part of the area's tourist trade.

BBC Radio Scotland's lunchtime news programme Scotland Live, which is aired from 1200 to 1315 BST, will be reporting live from Killin on Wednesday.