Blackwater Hostel

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.

Superb little hostel if you're doing the West Highland Way or just looking for a bed for the night.The room is yours at a very reasonable price,even if your a solo traveller,so no bunking up with a stranger or having to buy all the bunks to have sole occupancy. Added bonus of en suite shower/bathroom.My room was small with 3 single bunks,bedding provided and very comfortable.Velux window.A bit noisy with other guests and creaky floorboards but no major issue.Friendly staff.I didn't make use of the communal kitchen/dining area or the wifi.Glamping pods and small campground also available.Co-op store and places to eat all within a few mins walk. A truly wonderful stay!

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.

Stayed here for 1 night while walking the West Highland Way, in a twin room. The room was small (not a problem) but had no windows, no table to put belongings on and the plug sockets were all on the opposite side of the room from the beds, high up the wall. The tight space, lack of natural light and wood panelled walls made the whole experience feel like you were in a coffin! The whole set up felt like the room had been squeezed in as an afterthought and very badly designed. The shower was a push-button which meant the water stayed on for approximately 1.8 seconds at a time. Having walked along the corridor at check-out time when other rooms were being cleaned, it seems like other rooms in the hostel may actually have natural light and furniture, so this room may not be typical. But when booking, maybe stipulate that you don’t want to stay in the coffin.

This is a review of the campsite, rather than the hostel. There was a good selection of tent pitches which were all clean and flat. The WiFi was excellent, I hadn't expected it to reach from the main building to my tent but it did. The women's showers were also good, each one had a good sized area in which to change and a cargo net to hold belongings. However, the reception area was small and very poorly lit. There was no laundry facility, and the drying room wasn't well laid out, one rather small heater and a single rack with hangers that had everyone's belongings all in the same place, so the air didn't really circulate. The dining area was poor, the awning wasn't wide enough to cover the picnic tables from the rain, the single kettle was on a shelf above one of these tables, along with a rather crowded charging point. Everyone wanting to use either of these had to squeeze past people trying to use the tables to eat, and it wasn't very comfortable.

Great location. Nice, clean accomodation. Good facilities. Nice vide and good customer service. Will definitely stay again. I've stayed 3 times now; twice camping and once in the micro-lodges. Ideally located a small stagger away from the bar/restaurant in Kinlochleven and directly on WHW route.