Unplug and Reconnect Weekend
An Unplug and Reconnect Weekend or longer at the Highlands Hostel.
November, December, and January can be beautiful months in the Highlands, but they can also feel heavy. as can be the balance of the year. The stress of Christmas preparations, the rush of the holiday season, and the quiet lull that follows can leave many of us feeling worn out and disconnected. Add in grey skies, damp trails too wet for hiking, and not quite enough snow for skiing, and it’s easy to slip into the winter doldrums. At the Highlands Hostel, we understand that feeling well — we experience the same slow, reflective season ourselves. That is exactly why we invite you to step away from the noise and rediscover the simple pleasure of an unplugged weekend.
A relaxing stay here begins the moment you arrive. There is no pressure to plan every minute, no schedule to follow, and no expectation other than to breathe deeply and let the pace of the Highlands guide you. Bring two books — one you’ve been meaning to finish and another you’re curious about. Settle into a comfortable chair beside a roaring fire and allow yourself to unwind in a way that modern life rarely permits. Without constant notifications or distractions, reading becomes immersive again, and time stretches pleasantly.
Of course, relaxation doesn’t have to be silent. One of the quiet joys of hostel life is the gentle sense of community that forms naturally. A board game in the afternoon can turn strangers into friends, with laughter filling the room while the winter light fades outside. Conversations spark easily when people slow down together, and many guests discover that sharing stories is just as restorative as solitude.
Weather permitting, afternoons can also bring a small adventure: winter barbecuing. There is something uniquely comforting about gathering outdoors in crisp air, warming your hands while food sizzles, and appreciating the rugged beauty of the Highlands in their quieter season. These simple moments often become the memories people carry home.
As evening settles in, the hostel grows even more peaceful. Some guests return to their books, rediscovering the calm focus they thought they had lost. Others linger in soft conversation, enjoying the rare luxury of unhurried time. And for those who need to release a little more of the week’s tension, there is always the chance to truly let loose with a karaoke session in the RV — a joyful, slightly silly reminder that relaxation should also include fun.
Music lives in every corner of the Highlands Hostel. A piano waits in the living room, guitars hang ready on the wall, and a century-old fiddle carries echoes of the past, just waiting for new hands to bring it to life. Tucked away above it all is the attic jam room, complete with drum set, electric guitars, and amps. Whether you are a seasoned musician or someone who hasn’t played in years, the space invites you to make noise, share rhythm, and feel the simple freedom of sound without judgment.
The suggestion to bring two books has a purpose beyond personal relaxation. Books are natural conversation starters, and many guests find themselves swapping stories, recommendations, or even the books themselves. In a world where connection is often digital and fleeting, these small, genuine exchanges feel refreshingly real.
While winter provides a special kind of stillness, the spirit of an unplugged weekend at the Highlands Hostel extends throughout the entire year. Every season offers its own rhythm, its own reasons to slow down, and its own opportunities to reconnect — with nature, with creativity, and with other people. The goal is always the same: to create space where you can step back from daily pressures and remember what calm truly feels like.
By the time Sunday arrives, something subtle has usually changed. Shoulders that once felt tight begin to lower. Breathing becomes easier. Minds feel clearer. Guests often leave not only rested, but rebalanced — having rediscovered a quieter version of themselves and, quite often, having formed new friendships along the way.
An unplugged weekend in the Highlands is not about doing more. It is about doing less, more meaningfully. And sometimes, that is exactly what we need most.
Highlands Hostel
"Remember one night is never enough"
"Book two nights and you won't regret it, book 4 or more nights and you won't forget us"
Bell tower hammocks to relax in
Click on the Moose to book your next relaxing stay
