MacDonald Hotel & Cabins

The shared bathroom arrangement was inconvenient, and it would make a big difference to have en-suite options in the cabins. The common kitchen also needs work: it wasn’t clean enough and felt under-equipped for guests who rely on it. Still, we’d recommend MacDonald Cabins for the atmosphere, experience, and spectacular views. The cabins are charming and comfortable, set beside a river among the mountains. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the on-site restaurant was a nice surprise, with a bold, tasty Scotland × Indian fusion menu. The location alone makes the stay worthwhile. With better facilities and cleaner shared areas, it could easily be a 5-star stay.

After a long day, this was a quiet, clean place to unwind, and the view from the bar was amazing in the evening. The staff were welcoming and very friendly. PARDIP deserves a special mention for being so helpful throughout my visit. I had a fantastic stay at the MacDonald Hotel and Cabins, and I’d recommend it as a comfortable, peaceful stop for anyone walking the West Highland Way.

We felt our lives were at risk staying here. The en-suite had mould all around it, a bath side panel that was mostly disintegrated, and a constantly dripping bath tap. Water also dripped from the ceiling fan onto the floor, leaving a puddle, while the nearby electric ceiling switch was hanging off with wires exposed. We were prepared to put up with those problems because we were walking the WHW and this hotel seemed good value when accommodation was scarce. Then at 2am, the fire alarm woke us. We threw on clothes and went downstairs from the attic, out into pouring rain. There were no staff on site, and the emergency number pinned to the office door rang unanswered inside the locked office. We thought it was probably an electrical fault and tried to find a way to stop the deafening alarm. Guests found switches hanging off walls and other safety hazards. Eventually the fire service came from Fort William, a 50 minutes drive away, and had to break into the office to switch it off. We couldn’t sleep afterwards, both from the adrenaline and fear of what could have happened. Our clothes were soaked for the next day’s hike, and nobody apologized. I’ve emailed the hotel several times about compensation and received no response, apart from one email saying the Manager was off sick. DO NOT USE THIS HOTEL!!!!!

We’ll pay this kindness forward. On October 3rd, 2025, we arrived late at MacDonalds Hotel as storm Amy hit and the power failed. We were hiking on a budget and had planned to camp. Other hikers were in the pub watching the river flood the little island near the Hotel, and we talked over our options with some of them. An American family from NY, hiking with two young kids, must have heard us discussing camping outside in the storm. Completely unexpectedly, they paid for a hotel room for us. We were stunned by their generosity, and had the most comfortable night in garden room 2. It was spacious and beautifully furnished, with a bath tub in the living and sleeping room. Hotel staff Pradeep and his colleague were absolutely amazing, so friendly and welcoming. What an experience. Humanity at its best, thank you so much! :) Simon & Lisa