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Home Walking the Way Accommodation

Accommodation

There is a good choice of accommodation along the length of the West Highland Way allowing you some flexibility with your itinerary. However, at peak times (May, July and August) the accommodation can be booked up months in advance. It is strongly advised you book your accommodation in advance to avoid any disappointment or frustration. As most people start their walk on a Saturday another option would be to start on a weekday and in this way you will have a better chance of finding the accommodation you require.

There is a wide choice available to you along the route:

Camping - if you wish to have a wilderness experience and be close to nature then camping will provide a great sense of freedom. Your rucksack will be heavier as you will need to carry all your essential equipment such as sleeping bag, tent and cooking equipment. Camping allows a greater flexibility in your schedule as there are often spaces available throughout the year in most campsites.

The West Highland Way is a very popular route so we ask that wherever possible you use the official campsites. In this way you are likely to have access to toilets, showers and in some cases laundrettes, drying rooms and shops. By staying at an official campsite you are also contributing towards employment and economic growth within some of the small rural communities.

Wild camping - Access legislation in Scotland gives people the right of access over most land and water as long as they do so responsibly. During the last few years irresponsible camping has caused serious problems from toileting and litter. To help landowners and other route users we therefore ask you to make use of the formal campsites. However, if you do intend to wild camp (i.e. with no facilities) please follow the guidance included in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Namely:-

  • LIGHTING FIRES - Never cut down or damage trees. Use a stove of possible. If you must have an open fire keep it small and under control and remove all traces before leaving.
  • HUMAN WASTE - Carry a trowel and bury your waste and urinate well away from open water, rivers and streams.
  • Litter - Take away all of your rubbish, particularly bottles, cans and plastics and leave your campsite as tidy as you would wish to find it.

Wild camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and for only two or three nights in one place. You can camp wherever your access rights apply but you can help route management by not camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals and by keeping well away from buildings, roads or historic structures. If you wild camp please do not assume that you can use toilets and showers at formal facilities that are privately owned. Be courteous and check in advance with an establishment if you can use their facilities and offer to pay for the service you receive.

Bothies - These are unlocked huts with a sleeping platform and fire place. They are cared for by the Mountain Bothies Association (www.mountainbothies.org.uk). They offer very basic, free accommodation but you must follow the bothy code. Remember to take a sleeping bag and mat.

Bunkhouses and hostels - There is a wide range of very comfortable bunkhouse and hostels along the Way. These are low budget but mean you do not have to carry camping equipment. All have mattresses or beds to sleep on and many have full cooking facilities. You will need to check whether you need to take your sleeping bag.

Bed and Breakfast (B&B) - These are a British concept whereby you get a bedroom in a house with a breakfast in the morning. Using the good quality B&B accommodation along the West Highland Way allows you to travel light and also get a glimpse into traditional Scottish food and culture. B&B's provide a very personal and friendly service.

Guest Houses and Hotels - These are larger than a B&B, often providing an evening meal and a comfortable lounge. There are a number of good hotels along the route that are very welcoming and are set up for receiving walkers. Hotels are often more expensive and do not offer the one to one service received in a B&B.

Booking Accommodation -It is strongly recommended that accommodation is booked in advance. This both ensures that you will have somewhere to stay each evening, particularly during the summer months, but also that someone will be expecting you and be able to take the necessary actions should you fail to arrive. There is no accommodation booking service through the West Highland Way website, however this service is available through the Visitscotland website, at http://www.visitscotland.com. There are also a number of businesses which will provide users of the Way with booked accommodation packages, detail of which can be found by selecting “ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES” from the ‘Select Business Type’ and “WHOLE ROUTE” from the ‘Select Region’ drop down lists at the top of any of the pages, then click on search.