Drymen hotels and where to stay
Hotels, a B&B and a campsite in the West Highland Way village
Drymen hotels are clustered in the village: the Winnock Hotel on The Square and the Buchanan Arms on Main Street are the two big ones, with Ashbank B&B and Drymen Camping for walkers. Book early in walking season, and ask each place about parking, because we have no verified overnight arrangement for the village car park.
- Village car park. We have no verified charge. Stirling Council’s published table does not list it, so check the signs and machine.
- Winnock Hotel bedrooms
- 73
- Milngavie to Drymen on the Way
- 19 km
- Drymen to Balmaha on the Way
- 11 km
- Bus from Balloch to Balmaha
- 309
Should you stay in Drymen?
Yes, if you are walking the West Highland Way or want a village base with pubs close by and the loch a short drive away. Drymen is the end of the first official section of the Way, about 19 km from Milngavie, and the next stage to Balmaha is 11 km over Conic Hill. No, if you want to wake up on the shore: Drymen is inland, with the nearest shore at Balmaha.
Drymen sits at the western end of the Campsie Fells, overlooking the Endrick Water as it enters Loch Lomond. The village centres on The Square, where the Winnock Hotel stands, and the Buchanan Arms is on Main Street.
Without a car, bus 309 (McColl’s Travel) runs from Balloch to Balmaha via Gartocharn and Drymen. We have no verified times, so check Traveline Scotland. Travel from Glasgow and Edinburgh covers the train and coach routes to Balloch.
Drymen hotels, B&B and camping compared
These are the places we could confirm from their own sites on 12 October 2026, except the Buchanan Arms, which we read from the Best Western listing. We give no prices or ratings. Check the property’s own site for rooms, breakfast, dogs and parking.
| Place to stay | Type | What it offers | Parking | Booking tip | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Winnock Hotel | Hotel, formerly a coaching inn | 73 bedrooms, the Merlin Restaurant, the Ptarmigan Bar and a conservatory, on The Square (G63 0BL). Pets are welcome. | Not stated on its site. Ask when you book. | The biggest choice of rooms in the village. Ask about dinner times and dog fees. | Open in maps |
| Buchanan Arms Hotel & Leisure Club | Hotel with leisure club | On Main Street (G63 0BQ). The building dates from 1763, with a leisure club (indoor pool, sauna and gym) and Guy’s Restaurant. Listed on the Best Western site. | Not confirmed. Ask when you book. | A rest-day option for walkers who want a pool. Confirm the leisure club hours. | Open in maps |
| Ashbank Bed & Breakfast | B&B | 1 Balmaha Road (G63 0BX). En-suite rooms with a separate entrance, a traditional Scottish cooked breakfast and packed lunches to order. | Not stated on its site. Ask when you book. | Small, so book early. Ask about luggage transfer if you are walking. | Open in maps |
| Drymen Camping | Campsite with pods | On the West Highland Way: tent pitches, family pitches (no motorhomes or caravans), a LandPod, Green Pods and Kocoons. Baggage transfer service. Dogs accommodated. | Pod-side parking for 1 vehicle at the LandPod. Ask about the rest. | The 2026 season ran from 14 March to 11 October, so it has closed. Check the 2027 dates. | Open in maps |
Our summary of each property’s own pages, not a rating. Room counts and facilities change, so confirm before you pay.
Choose and book
Decide whether Drymen is your base
Drymen suits walkers and anyone who wants a village base. If you are on foot, the West Highland Way route reaches the village at the end of its first official section. For the shore itself, look at Balmaha, 11 km away over Conic Hill.
Pick your type of stay
A hotel for dinner and a bar, the Buchanan Arms if you want a pool, a B&B for a cooked breakfast, a campsite or pod for the lowest cost. Match the table above to your group.
Sort out parking before you book
Ask each property where you can leave the car overnight. We have no verified charge for the village car park, and sleeping overnight in a motorhome in Stirling Council car parks is not allowed. See the Drymen parking rules and the parking guide for alternatives.
Book the right season
Spring and summer are the walking months. Drymen Camping’s 2026 season ended on 11 October, so camping in the off-season needs another site. We have no booking-lead-time figure from any operator, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Use the official site where you can
Book direct if you want the property’s own terms. Where we add a partner link, we always give the official option beside it.
Check before you book
- Does the property have its own parking? Only the LandPod’s pod-side space is stated in our sources.
- Are dogs welcome? The Winnock welcomes pets and Drymen Camping accommodates dogs; ask the others.
- Do you need luggage transfer? The official West Highland Way site has an Accommodation and Services section that covers services and baggage transfer, and Drymen Camping lists a baggage service.
- Is the campsite open on your dates? The 2026 season has ended, and we have not seen 2027 dates.
- Deals change daily, so we state none: compare on the property’s own site.
Other bases nearby
If Drymen is full or not quite right, these are the nearest alternatives.
- BallochThe south end of the loch and the station. Staying in Balloch is the easiest base without a car.
- AlexandriaAnother base at the southern end of the loch. See the best Alexandria stays to compare.
- GartmoreA nearby village. Look at places to stay in Gartmore if the Drymen options are taken.
Eating and doing in Drymen
Eating out as a guest? See where to eat in Drymen for pubs and tearooms. Pitching a tent instead? Drymen pitches and permits covers the options and the byelaws.
Looking further afield? The wider list of where to stay covers every other base, and the Drymen village guide covers what to do once you arrive.
Find a place to stay
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Questions people ask
What's in Drymen, Scotland?
A village at the western end of the Campsie Fells, overlooking the Endrick Water as it enters Loch Lomond. It centres on The Square, has hotels, a B&B and a campsite, and is the end of the first official section of the West Highland Way.
What is the best hotel in Drymen?
We do not rank hotels. The Winnock Hotel has 73 bedrooms and the Buchanan Arms has a leisure club with an indoor pool, so choose by what you need and compare recent guest reviews on the official sites.
Is there a hotel with a pool in Drymen?
The Buchanan Arms lists a leisure club with an indoor pool, sauna and gym on the Best Western site. Check the leisure club hours and any guest-only rules when you book.
Can I camp in Drymen?
Yes at Drymen Camping, which lists tent pitches, pods and Kocoons on the West Highland Way. Its 2026 season ran from 14 March to 11 October, so check the 2027 dates.
Is there a hostel in Drymen?
We have not found a hostel in our sources, so we cannot name one. Check the West Highland Way official site and VisitScotland.
Do you list Airbnbs or lodges in Drymen?
No. We list places we can confirm from their own sites. For private rentals, search the booking sites directly.
How do I get to Drymen without a car?
Take a train to Balloch, then bus 309 (McColl’s Travel) via Gartocharn and Drymen. Check Traveline Scotland for times.
Can I park overnight in Drymen?
Not in Stirling Council car parks if you are sleeping in a motorhome. We have no verified charge or overnight rule for the village car park, so ask your accommodation about its own parking.