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134 miles · 10 stages · 9 nights

Where to stay on the John Muir Way

Night-by-night accommodation from Helensburgh to Dunbar — what's actually at each stop, and where booking ahead matters.

Back to the full John Muir Way guide

The overall picture

Urban sections mean hotels are easy. Rural sections between have B&Bs and campsites. Plentiful in Helensburgh, Balloch, Linlithgow, Edinburgh, North Berwick and Dunbar; Travelodge, Premier Inn and B&B platforms all cover the route. Wild camping is limited but possible near the coast.

Night by night

Overnight options at the end of each stage, walking Helensburgh → Dunbar. Search links open Booking.com for that stop — where a night is wild-camp or bothy only, there's nothing to book and no link.

  1. Night 1: Balloch

    Day 1 · Helensburgh → Balloch · 22km, 200m ascent

    Balloch has hotels and B&Bs. Good transport links to Glasgow.

    Search stays in Balloch

  2. Night 2: Strathblane

    Day 2 · Balloch → Strathblane · 22km, 250m ascent

    Strathblane has B&Bs and a pub. Milngavie is accessible by bus.

    Search stays in Strathblane

  3. Night 3: Kilsyth

    Day 3 · Strathblane → Kilsyth · 20km, 200m ascent

    Kilsyth has B&Bs and pubs. Kirkintilloch is nearby with more options.

    Search stays in Kilsyth

  4. Night 4: Falkirk

    Day 4 · Kilsyth → Falkirk · 22km, 150m ascent

    Falkirk has hotels and B&Bs. Good rail links.

    Search stays in Falkirk

  5. Night 5: Linlithgow

    Day 5 · Falkirk → Linlithgow · 19km, 150m ascent

    Linlithgow has hotels, B&Bs and good restaurants.

    Search stays in Linlithgow

  6. Night 6: South Queensferry

    Day 6 · Linlithgow → South Queensferry · 22km, 200m ascent

    South Queensferry has hotels and B&Bs with views of the bridges.

    Search stays in South Queensferry

  7. Night 7: Edinburgh

    Day 7 · South Queensferry → Edinburgh · 22km, 200m ascent

    Edinburgh has unlimited accommodation. Rest day recommended.

  8. Night 8: Musselburgh

    Day 8 · Edinburgh → Musselburgh · 16km, 100m ascent

    Musselburgh has B&Bs and is close to Edinburgh by bus.

    Search stays in Musselburgh

  9. Night 9: North Berwick

    Day 9 · Musselburgh → North Berwick · 28km, 300m ascent

    North Berwick has excellent hotels, B&Bs and restaurants.

    Search stays in North Berwick

  10. Night 10: Dunbar

    Day 10 · North Berwick → Dunbar · 22km, 250m ascent

    Dunbar has hotels and B&Bs. Visit John Muir's birthplace museum.

    Search stays in Dunbar

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John Muir Way accommodation — common questions

How many nights do you need on the John Muir Way?
Walked over the usual 10 stages, the John Muir Way means 9 overnight stops between Helensburgh and Dunbar. Many walkers add a night near the start the evening before, and one at the finish rather than rushing for transport.
Do you need to book accommodation in advance on the John Muir Way?
For March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, treat booking as essential — small settlements, few beds, and everyone on the trail wants the same ones. In quieter months you can be more flexible, but check opening: off-season closures are common at the remoter stops.
Can I get my bags transferred between stops on the John Muir Way?
Yes — Sherpa Van Project and AMS Bag Transfer Scotland move bags between overnight stops on the John Muir Way (from around £10 per bag per day), so you can walk with a day pack. Book transfer once your accommodation is fixed — operators need the exact overnight addresses.