Rowardennan in the shadow of Ben Lomond is one of the hostels in the scheme

Rowardennan in the shadow of Ben Lomond is one of the hostels in the scheme

Visitors to picturesque Scottish youth hostels will have their mobile phones and laptops confiscated as part of a move to detox from technology.

SYHA Hostelling Scotland is offering a special ‘get away from IT all’ weekend in September for anyone who wants to escape from the clutches of modern communications.

The charity said: “Between 4 and 6 September SYHA Hostelling Scotland is inviting technology addicts to get away from IT all with a weekend of tech detoxing at youth hostels situated in some of the most stunning locations around Scotland.

“Visitors will be cut off from their phones and other tech-devices giving them the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family, friends and the most breathtaking countryside and wildlife that Scotland has to offer.”

SYHA said UK adults now spend an average of more than eight hours a day on media devices.

Anyone signing up for the special weekend deal will have mobile phones, tablets, laptops and any other electronic devices taken away and there will be no access to televisions or internet kiosks. Youth hostel staff will be on hand to advise on local outdoor pursuits, recommend the best activity providers, suggest exciting tourist attractions to visit and the best places to eat and drink so visitors can fully engage with the local area.

SYHA Hostelling Scotland chief executive Keith Legge said: “We all need to break free from technology once in a while; we’ve just forgotten how to do it.

“With our Tech Detox weekend in September we want people, especially young people, to get outside and see what Scotland has to offer. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience and appreciate our countryside, environment, natural heritage and places of historic and cultural interest.

“By the end we hope that our visitors will fully appreciate all of the benefits of switching off once in a while and seeing what they’ve been missing out on when chained to their tech.”

The organisation is offering a 10 per cent discount for visitors signing up for the Tech Detox weekend. Hostels taking part include Achmelvich Beach, Glenbrittle, Port Charlotte, Broadford, Glen Nevis, Ratagan, Cairngorm Lodge, Glencoe, Rowardennan Lodge, Crianlarich, Kirkwall, Tobermory, Durness, Lochranza, Torridon, Gairloch Sands, Pitlochry, Ullapool and Glen Affric.

More details are on the SYHA Hostelling Scotland website.

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