The West Highland Way is one of Scotland’s most beloved long-distance trails – and one of its most flexible. Whether you’re staying in cozy inns and guesthouses, or keeping things simple with hostels and campsites, there’s an option for every kind of hiker and every budget.
Because accommodation is available at regular intervals, there’s no need to camp unless you want to experience a night under the stars. Still, organising bookings across a week-long trek can be a challenge. This guide is designed to make that process easier, helping you plan your journey stage by stage and find the perfect place to rest your feet each night.
In this guide:
Do I really need to book in advance?
In short, yes – the trail is very popular and unless you’re carrying full camping gear as a backup, booking in advance is essential.
Accommodation along the West Highland Way can be limited in some areas, and some spots often fill up months ahead of time, especially during the summer season. If you have a specific budget or itinerary in mind, it’s best to secure those key bookings early to avoid having to rearrange your stages later on.
As a general rule, aim to book at least 6 months in advance if you plan to walk between May and September, when the trail is busiest. Outside of peak season, you can usually find spaces on shorter notice, but it’s still wise to plan ahead – especially if you’re travelling in a group or hoping for particular accommodation types.
Booking Strategy
While accommodation is available at regular intervals along the West Highland Way, certain stops are known bottlenecks where places fill up quickly. Securing these first can save you a lot of stress later on.
Key bottlenecks:
Rowardennan – If Rowardennan is full, consider staying in Balmaha (south) or Inversnaid (north). You can combine these stops, or even take a ferry across Loch Lomond from either Balmaha or Inversnaid to reach alternative lodging on the opposite shore.
Inverarnan – Ardlui is an alternative, but there are not many options there either. Book this one early if you can.
Inveroran – There is only one hotel here. If you can’t find a room in Inveroran, look to Bridge of Orchy, just a few miles before. You can also consider taking the bus or train back to Tyndrum or Crianlarich from Bridge of Orchy.
Kingshouse – Another major pinch point. The hotel/bunkhouse here is a classic stop but often books up months in advance and the Glencoe Mountain Resort has a limited number of pods. If these are full, you can check out Glencoe Village, which is accessible by booking a bus or taxi.
Once these spots are secured, you can be more flexible with the rest of your bookings. Accommodation in larger towns like Drymen, Tyndrum, or Fort William tends to be easier to arrange.
Using public transport to your advantage:
The West Highland Way is surprisingly well served by public transport, especially in the central sections. If you’re struggling to find accommodation along a specific stage, you can base yourself in one place for multiple nights and travel back and forth by bus or train.
For example, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, and Bridge of Orchy are all linked by train, making it easy to shuttle between them. Likewise, all the major stops between Inverarnan and Glencoe are connected by bus services, which can help fill any accommodation gaps without disrupting your overall itinerary. Be advised, booking in advance may be necessary for public transport during peak season.
Accommodation Types and Pricing
There is a variety of accommodation available on the West Highland Way – whether you’re keeping it simple or seeking a cosy bed and breakfast after a long day’s walk, there’s something to suit every budget and style.
Typical Prices
Hostels / Bunkhouses: ~ £25‑£45 per bunk per night
Ideal for solo walkers or those keeping costs low.Glamping Pods: ~ £40‑£200+ per night, depending on size and level of luxury
Can be as cheap as or even cheaper than a hostel if you are in a group. Bedding may need to be rented as an additional cost.B&Bs & Guesthouses: ~ £100‑£150 + per night for a double/twin room
Breakfast often includedHotels: ~ £120‑£180+ per night for a double/twin room
Breakfast often included
Budget Types
Practical Notes & Variables
Seasonality: Prices tend to rise and availability fall in the high season (May‑September) compared to shoulder seasons. Booking early often secures lower prices and more room choice.
Group vs solo: Shared dorms are the cheapest per person, while private rooms obviously cost more. If you are in a group you have the option to book e.g. family rooms and split the cost. Some places may offer a single occupancy rate for double/twin rooms.
Booking direct: Booking direct with the accommodation is often slightly cheaper than booking via websites like booking.com
West Highland Way Accommodation Google Maps Overview
Explore Accommodation on the Map
Use the interactive map below to find places to stay. Colours show the price range — green for budget options, yellow for mid-range, and orange for higher-end. Icons help you spot the type of accommodation at a glance: 🏠 self-catering, ⛺ glamping, 🛌🛌 bunkhouses, and 🛏️ hotels or B&Bs.
Accommodation Options By Stage
Prices mentioned are based on peak season 2026.
I again categorised the accommodation based on price per person per night (pppn) – adding a 🟢 for budget, 🟡 for Mid-Range and 🟠 for Higher-End options.
Solo-travelling can be expensive – price per person per night is not necessarily indictivate of what is the most affordable option for one person. For that reason I have also indicated the cheapest option for solo travellers per stage with a 💵
Milngavie
🟡💵 Premier Inn Bearsden: ~£115 for a double room
8 mins (walking) further away than the Premier Inn Milngavie but generally cheaper
🟡 Premier Inn Milngavie: ~£150 for a double room
early in the season can be as low as £90
🟡 West Highland Way Apartments – The Lomond: ~£235 for a 2 bedroom / 4 person apartment
🟡 West Highland Way Apartments – The Nevis: ~£250 for a 2 bedroom / 4 person apartment
Drymen - Rowardennan
On the way to Drymen:
West Highland Way Hotel and Campsite:
Shepards hut, glamping tents and rooms available. Contact directly for pricing
🟢💵 Drymen Camping: £50-£60 for a 2 person pod, £80 for a 4 person pod.
Either need to bring a sleeping bag or hire bedding for an extra fee
🟢 Altquhur Byre B&B: £90 for a double/twin room
🟠 Park of Drumquhassle: £182 for double/twin room
🟠 Duncan Family Farms Glamping Pods: £200 for a 2 person pod with hot tub
In Drymen:
🟢💵 Kip in the Kirk: £30 for bunk, £60 for single and £80 for double/twin
🟢 The Winnock Hotel: £70-£110 for various double/twin rooms, ~£90 for 3 person room
🟢 The Clachan Inn: ~£95 for double/twin
🟢 Drymen View: £180 for 2 bed apartment sleeping 4
🟡 Buchanan Arms Hotel & Spa: £120 for double/twin up to £160 for king size double
🟡 Braeside Guest House: £100-£150 for various 2 person rooms
🟡 Knockinreoch Apartments: £245-£265 for 2 bed apartment sleeping 4
🟠 The Drymen Inn: ~£160 for double/twin
Rowardennan - Inverarnan
Inversnaid (about half way to Inverarnan)
🟢💵 Inversnaid Bunkhouse: ~£70 to ~£100 for double/twin, ~£90 for triple and ~£140 for 5 person room
Slightly off trail but includes free pick up
🟠 Inversnaid Hotel: £180 for double/twin
🟠 Tarbet Hotel: £110 for single, ~£130 to ~£180 for double/twin
Accessible via ferry from Inversnaid
Inverarnan
🟢💵 Beinglas Campsite: £75-£115 for 4 person pod, £145 for 2 person chalet, £180 for 3 person chalet
🟡 Drovers Inn: ~£100 to ~£130 for double/twin
🟠 Ardlui Hotel: ~£175 for double/twin/triple, ~£195 to ~£230 for 4 person rooms
Accessible via ferry from Ardleish, just before Inverarnan
Inverarnan - Tyndrum
🟡 Glenbruar House: £120-£150 for double/twin
Tyndrum
🟢💵 By The Way Hostel & Campsite: £28 for bunk, £40-£90 for 2 person pod, £190 for 4 person chalet, £200 for 6 person chalet
🟢 Tyndrum Holiday Park: £55-£75 for 2-5 person pods
🟡 The Tyndrum Inn: £60-£75 for single, £140-£180 for double/twin, £215 for triple and £255 for quad
🟡 Dalkell Cottage Guest House: £80 for single, £112-£125 for double/twin and £204 for a cottage for 4 people
🟡 Tyndrum Lodges: £120-£135 for double/twin, £160-£180 for triple
🟠 Muthu Ben Doran Hotel: £150-£180 for double/twin
Tigh-na-Fraoch B&B: single, double and triple rooms, enquire directly for pricing
Muthu Royal Hotel: currently under renovation
Tyndrum - Inveroran
Bridge of Orchy (about 3miles / 5km before Inveroran)
🟢💵 West Highland Way Sleeper: £37 for bunk
🟢 Bridge of Orchy Pods: £90 for 2 person pod
🟠 Greenstone Lodge B&B: £155 for double/twin
🟠 Bridge of Orchy Hotel: £200+ for double/twin
🟠 60 Mile Inn: £299 for luxury pod for 3 people
Inveroran
Inveroran Hotel: Rooms available for 1-4 people, enquire directly for pricing
Inveroran - Kingshouse
At the trail
🟢 Glencoe Mountain Resort: various pod sizes – £75 for 4 people, £90-£125 for 6 people
Sleeping bags can be rented for an additional fee
🟢🟠💵 Kingshouse Hotel & Bunkhouse: £44 for bunk, £200-£350 for a 2 person room
Glencoe Village
Accessible via bus or taxi (booking in advance advisable for both). The Bus goes as far as Fort William if you are really struggling for accomodation.
🟢💵 Glencoe Youth Hostel: £28 for bunk, £76+ for private room
This is 1.8miles/2.9km from the village bus stop
🟢💵 Heart of Glencoe Bunkhouse: £25-34 for bunk
This is 1.8miles/2.9km from the village bus stop
🟢 Invercoe Campground: £80 for pod sleeping up to 5
🟡 Scorrybreac B&B: £90-£120 for double/twin, discount for single occupancy
🟡 Beechwood Cottage B&B: £120-£130 for double/twin
🟠 Glencoe Inn: ~£170 to ~£265 for double/twin, ~£220 for family room for 4 people
🟠 Gleann Fia Self Catering Apartment (min stay 2 nights): £500 for 2 nights
🟠 Glencoe House Hotel: £750+ for 2 person suit
Kingshouse - Kinlochleven
🟢💵 Blackwater Hostel: £45 for 2 person, £70 for 3 person, £90 for 4 person and £130 for 8 person rooms. Blackwater hostel also has pod options, ranging from £80-£145
🟢 West Highland Lodge: private rooms with shared facilities. £70 for 2 people, £85 for 3 people 90 for 4 people
🟢 Tilg Clachan: £70 for single occupancy, £90 for double/twin room
🟡 Bank House B&B: £116-£135 for double/twin
🟡 Tigh na Cheo B&B: £99 for single room, £117-£145 for double/twin, £194 for triple
🟡 Forest View B&B: £120-£150 for double/twin, £150 for triple
🟠 Highland Getaway Inn: £178-£195 for double/twin
🟠 MacDonald Hotel: £200-£232 for double/twin, £252 for triple room. Log cabin £145 for 4 people
Kinlochleven - Fort William
Glen Nevis (about 3 miles / 5km before the end of the WHW)
🟢💵 Glen Nevis Youth Hostel: £33 for a bunk, £92+ for a private room
🟡 Ben Nevis Inn: £210 for 4 person room, £250-400 for 6-10 person rooms
Fort William
🟢💵 Fort William Backpackers Hostel: £34 for bunk, £80 for private twin room with shared bathroom
🟡 Bank Street Lodge: £103 for single, £153 for double/twin, £166 for triple, £182 for 4 person, £204 for 6 person
🟠 Strathmore Guest House: £138 single, £153 double
🟠 Fassifern B&B: £146 for single, £162 for double
🟠 The Highland Hotel: £180 for double/twin
🟠 Travelodge Fort William: £190 for double
🟠 Premier Inn Fort William: £178-£209 for double/twin
🟠 The Alexandra Hotel: 227 for double/twin
🟠 Garrison Hotel: £236-£248 for double/twin, £252 for triple
🟠 Lime Tree Hotel: £237 for double, £267 for triple
🟠 Muthu Fort William Hotel: £323-£444 for double/twin, £383-£403 for triple
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