Blackwater Hostel

Interesting, comfortable, clean and spacious tent box for 1 directly on West Highland Way (£40 - booked Nov 24 for May 25). Comes well equipped with provided portable light, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, pillow, towel (their hostel rooms do not have provided towels - available to hire for £2.50), boot bag, integrated mattress / camp mat) and also integrated midge nets to the 4 openings / windows. Kind and helpful receptionist. Separate clean showers and toilets to hostel, with outdoor covered kitchen with eating area with microwave, sink, vending machine (creditcard / contactless payments), and powerpoints to charge devices. 2 drying rooms which are switched on only when rainy days and at night, but accessible 24hrs a day for early leavers. Very midgy in May after a certain time, so bring smidge, and a head net (head nets sold here), and enjoy the sun, but be prepared to run into the tentbox once the midges come out. 400m to convenient Co-op supermarket, amazing Chinese takeaway with big portions (cash only) and 2 pubs which also serve food.

We stayed in one of the hostel rooms. While I appreciate the people offering affordable places for young people with less disposable incomes to enjoy the west highland highway, our experience with the stay was pretty bad. The toilet was heavily infested with mold to the point that a mushroom grew out of shower. The whole room had a very moldy smell because of that. Additionally there wasn’t any hot water available for the shower after 9pm which is quite inconvenient after a long walk through the Scottish Highlands. Also there wasn’t any internet connection through their WiFi. The kitchen however does have an extensive collection of utensils. The beds were also alright.

I was welcomed at the site by pleasant staff. The pitch areas are well maintained and flat. The toilet and shower facilities were clean. I’d recommend this site to anyone passing through on the West Highland Way. The sound of the near by large waterfall was pleasant to fall asleep to.