Newtonmore Hostel is owned and operated by Sue & Neil Oxley and Ali & Adrian Ogden. 

Sue & Ali met on the TGO Challenge in 2006 and a few years and a lot of backpacking trips later the idea of a joint venture was hatched and "Mrs Os’ Hostel" became a reality.  Both have walked from Land's End to John O'Groats - Ali in 1990 and Sue in 2010 - in addition to numerous long-distance paths and many Munros, Corbetts and Grahams. They remain heavily involved with the TGO Challenge. Having become route vetters for the Event in 2012 they took over as coordinators in 2014. One of them participates every May whilst the other runs Challenge Control and helps Neil with the hostel when Challengers pass through. We usually offer hot drinks and homemade cakes in support of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue during the Challenge. Backpacking and wild camping remain a passion for both and they are grateful their husbands are happy to run the hostel when they escape to the hills!

​

Sue has also walked extensively in Europe including an ascent of Mont Blanc. She was formerly a member of Patterdale mountain rescue team in the Lake District and is a qualified mountain leader. However, she is probably best known north of the border for her cycling exploits, holding three Scottish distance records during the 1990s.

Neil was formerly a keen amateur racing cyclist, competing regularly in races and time trials north and south of the border.  Still a keen bike rider he is eager to maintain the hostel's reputation for being cyclist-friendly.

Sue & Neil live in the house next to the hostel with Ali & Adrian having their own house nearby.  When Sue & Neil are off duty they head to their narrowboat based in northern England and Ali & Adrian move in so there is usually someone in residence at the hostel.

Ali and Adrian have three children, Madi, Alex and Ellen. Whilst the older two completed their education the family remain stranded in Yorkshire but moved up permanently in 2014 with their youngest daughter.
Ali still hopes the move to Newtonmore will allow her to complete her Munro round but working at the hostel and on TGO Challenge is slowing down progress! She also loves the glens and smaller hills and the little Graham Creagh Dhubh that sits above Newtonmore was one of her and Adrian's favourite hills long before the hostel plans. Like Sue, she loves to backpack and her idea of the perfect night out is a high camp on a remote Scottish hill in her one-man tent.

Adrian is also a keen hill walker but prefers a comfy bed at the end of the day and the chance to "rehydrate" in the pub. He loves wildlife and enjoys a lazy afternoon birdwatching or a more strenuous one playing tennis.

Both families are dog lovers, and you may meet Sue & Neil's two rescue whippets, Max and Misty, and Ali and Adrian's Border terrier, Basil during your stay.