This article has links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from.
Scotland’s West Highland Way is a 96-mile trek which starts in sunny Milngavie, just outside of Glasgow and concludes in Fort William.
If you are reading to find out about West Highland Way accommodation, this guide details where we stayed each night with additional options for those West Highland Way camping/or struggling to get a reservation.
Do consider the delightful Scottish weather if you plan to camp!
Not into camping or carrying your pack? West Highland Way baggage transfer is available and the hotels and hostels are accustomed to this.
Companies meet you at your starting point to collect your luggage then drop it off at your accommodation each day.
Naturally, you will need to pack a day bag with waterproofs and snacks, read our packing list guide for more.
Planning your WHW adventure?
Start here for our full guide.
West Highland Way Accommodation List
The great thing about this hike is that there are so many different types of accommodation.
Most stops have a hotel, guest houses, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), apartments, hostels, and campsites.
Some even have hot tubs so you can soak your screaming muscles at the end of the day!
This guide will include all of the mentioned types of accommodation to cater for all kinds of hikers.
Day 0: Milngavie
The official start of the West Highland Way is located 7 miles outside of Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow, in a town called Milngavie (Mill-guy).
Many WHWers start their adventure from Glasgow, taking the train from the city.
However, some prefer to get a good night’s sleep in Milngavie and set off early to ensure that they arrive in Balmaha to see the beauty that is Conic Hill.
Milngavie Accommodation
Milngavie has an affordable Premier Inn budget hotel.
Unfortunately, there are no hostels in Milngavie, however, there are a couple in Glasgow. Check out the full list here.
Balamaha is a beautiful village on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond.
You will find this scenic spot at the descent of Conic Hill after the first day of the West Highland Way hike.
The Oak Tree Inn is a favourite for food and the well-deserved pint at the end of day one.
Please note, wild camping is now illegal around Loch Lomond’s western shores.
Balmaha Hotel
Oak Tree Inn is a popular hotel for food and drink.
- Cost: Under £200
- Pros: Nicely decorated rooms, rooms above Inn or cottages available, restaurant, shop, views!
- Cons: On the more expensive end of the scale, budget depending
Balmaha Hostel
Balmaha bunkhouse is an independent hostel.
- Cost: Under £40 for a dorm bed
- Pros: Good for large groups (can hire out full dorm – stags/hens welcomed), social area, kitchen, cereal breakfast included
- Cons: NA
- Notes: Dog-friendly foran additional fee
Day 2: Inverarnan Accommodation
The main attraction around Inverarnan is the 300+-year-old pub/restaurant/hotel, Drovers Inn.
Each of the 15 rooms differs and the hotel caters for solo travellers, double rooms, families and a jacuzzi room.
Room 6 may be of interest to ghost hunters!
- Cost: Starting at £130
- Pros: The restaurant food is nice, and the entertainment was a laugh
- Cons: Nice rooms but cold, shared bathrooms – not for everyone (an ensuite is available)
Day 2: Tyndrum Accommodation
The next stop, Tyndrum, is a popular alternative second night and has more to offer accommodation-wise.
Tyndrum Hotels
Muthu Ben Doran Hotel is located on 7-acre grounds within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
- Cost: Under £140 for a double room with an ensuite
- Pros: Beautiful location, features a restaurant, bar, and breakfast
- Cons: WiFi weak
Tyndrum Lodges
Guests love Tyndrum Lodges and find it hard to fault them!
- Cost: Under £140 for a double room with an ensuite
- Pros: Location, takeout breakfast
- Cons: Guests love these lodges!
Tyndrum Campsites
There are two camp sites in Tyndrum.
Campsite: Beinglass
- Cost: £15 per person, no refunds, 100 pitches
- Info: Campsite has shower facilities, an on-site bar/restaurant
Campsite: By the Way Hostel and Campsite
- Cost: £40 per person for a dorm bed
- Pros: Huts, cabins are also available
- Cons: Basic but cheap
Day 3: Bridge of Orchy Accommodation
Bridge of Orchy, or Drochaid Urchaidh in Gaelic, is a hamlet or village in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland.
There are limited facilities in Bridge of Orchy (as in, there are none).
Hikers not walking the West Highland Way may be interested in Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh.
You will want a decent night’s sleep as the next leg over Rannoch Moor can be brutal if windy.
Bridge of Orchy has a bus route that goes from Glasgow through to Kingshouse, Glencoe and a train station. It is the best-connected stop during the WHW.
However, the area is expensive and limited to one restaurant and the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.
Bridge of Orchy Hotel
A popular hotel surrounded by mountains and a river, the Bridge of Orchy Hotel is a hit with WHWers who don’t mind paying a bit more than a B&B and don’t want to camp.
The restaurant is also recommended by guests. I had a hot chocolate here as I waited to get the bus when I was injured.
- Cost: £280+
- Pros: Restaurant, cosy, one of the upmarket West Highland Way hotels
- Cons: A bit on the pricier scale, the area is just expensive
Bridge of Orchy camping
There is no official campsite here, but West Highland Way wild camping is allowed, as with any camping in Scotland, follow the Scottish Outdoors Code.
Day 4: Kingshouse and Glen Coe Accommodation
Glencoe is one of my favourite spots in Scotland.
You really lose yourself to hills here, which leave you feeling inferior.
Look out for the friendly, photogenic deer who hang outside the Kingshouse Hotel.
Don’t feed them, please.
Kingshouse is a popular stop for food and a drink.
Glencoe Hotel
The Glencoe Inn is a striking hotel located under the Pap of Glencoe and surrounded by the beautiful Ardgour Hills.
- Cost: £300+
- Pros: On-site restaurant and bar
- Cons: Pricier side of WHW accommodation
Hostels at Glencoe
Glencoe Independent Hostel is where we stayed.
They can help organise a pickup and collection from Kingshouse.
The building is an old croft and it has a drying room, which is ideal.
The hostel has big rooms for groups to reserve in full.
- Cost: £30 for dorm bed
- Pros: Large room (one room for all six of us), breakfast packs are adequate, drying room, codes for security, shared showers hot
- Cons: Those fire doors slammed all night
Day 5: Kinlochleven Accommodation
I really enjoy spending time in Kinlochleven.
I’ve stayed over twice to hike and have also spent the day indoors ice hiking and climbing.
It’s such a great spot for outdoor fans.
Unfortunately, neither of the accommodation options I stayed at is taking bookings.
Here are some alternatives.
Kinlochleven Pods
A popular choice for visitors and WHWers, Blackwater Glamping Pods have ensuite bathrooms to ensure a comfortable stay.
- Cost: £80+
- Pros: Comfortable, private, ensuite
- Cons: Basic
Day 6: Fort William Accommodation
You’ll never be so thankful to see a town centre! Fort William is the final stop on the West Highland Way hike.
Some hikers head straight to the train station to get home, others stick around for a few nights to chill or hike Ben Nevis!
Fort William Hotels
There are over 20 hotels in Fort William to choose from, catering for every budget and type of traveller.
The Garrison is popular with guests for its modern decor, bar, central location and friendly staff.
- Cost: £250+
- Pros: Guests love it, parking for hikers meeting family
- Cons: Luxury end of the hotel market, so pricier, treat yourself!
The Distillery Guest House has comfortable rooms, great breakfast and is located on the banks of the River Ness.
- Cost: £150+
- Pros: Scenic location, breakfast, rooms
- Cons: 10 mins walk to town
Fort William Hostels
The Glen Nevis Youth Hostel is situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, so an ideal base for those looking to hike Scotland’s highest Munro, Ben Nevis!
- Cost: £180 double room
- Pros: Location for hikers
- Cons: 45 minutes walk to Fort William centre
There are currently 5 hostels in Fort William.
See here for reviews.
Save for later! Pin to your WHW planning board.
