MacBackpackers Hostel

My first time in a hostel for nearly a decade. An experiment ahead of the near constant need I will have for youth hostels in the coming couple of years. And a very successful experiment too!

MacBackers is a small collection of independent hostels dotted around Scotland; 6 in all (Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Inverness, Skye, Oban and Fort William). It is possible to do MacBackpackers tours of Sccotland using their chain of hostels and the MacBackpackers bus to take you from one destination to the next although I was just their for a few days to climb Ben Nevis.

It is perfectly situated in Fort William. It's not stuck in the town centre, whilst only being 7 mins walk away from the main high street and only 4-5 mins walk from Fort William train & bus station and the Co-op supermarket. Even better, one of the potential starting points for the charming and relaxing 30 minute walk through Glen Nevis to the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre (effectively base camp for The Ben) is LITERALLY a step across the road.

The place is light and airy, clean and well kept an set in a very picturesque building and garden with a great view down over Fort William and spacious, well-appointed and cutely chaotic communal areas. The washroom facilities are communal, whilst remaining adequately private for your needs if you're sensitive that way. There are single sex rooms, a twin room, and (I believe?) a mixed room also, all of which amusingly have their own names. I stayed in the 'Scottish Battles' room. Your beds too will have individual names to identify them :)

I had an exceptionally friendly and fun experience in my 3 days here. Everyone just wanted to get along and have a good time, including a hilarious impromptu 'standing in the kitchen getting toasted' party late into the second night, attended by both the amiable manager of the hostel Jerry and Simon the extremely friendly and helpful 'house handyman'.

It's very affordable at just £13.50 a night, and as much breakfast as you care to munch (without being overtly glutinous) is your for just £1.90 extra a day. Things are very laid back here and informal. No curfew and a car park that can hold up to about 5 cars too which is GREAT in Fort William where 'free' parking can be a bit of a nightmare.

Fantastic value, position and people. Party on... and I apologise to all the people we probably kept up with our drunken revelries :O