In the days of the Bulloughs Kinloch Castle, for a short spell each year, came alive. Since 1958 when it was sold to the nation, or more precisely The Nature Conservancy Council it has been in steady decline as a place to stay.
We visited with London Mountaineering Club and drew straws at the door to gain a twin bedded room rather than the dormitory, it was damp.
Most of our group were self-catering, but we opted for meals in the Bistro, rather a grand name for the dining room. Meals were variable in quality depending on which chef was on duty.
On the last night we ate with our whole group in the bar - the best room in the place. But the beef was boiling which had been flash fried - it was like chewing shoe leather.
The mountains and scenery will always be incomparable but Kinloch would benefit by being torn down as really it is just a grand folly.
The incomparable landscape will never fail to impress.

My husband & I ,both retired,57 & 61,stayed in a dorm,took breakfast & Evening meals in the Bistro,with wine no less!!!Variety,quality & presentation of meals would be a credit to a 4 star hotel restaurant.Well done to the South African chef who was there at the time & his team.Definitely 5 star hostelling!!
Nothing was too much trouble throughout our stay.A wonderful laid- back environment.
Bathrooms/showers rooms were always spotless-always loo paper,soap,paper towels & fresh bath mats daily.
The wildlife wardens talk on our first night was extremely informative & set us up for the week.
Castle tour well worth doing.I am enjoying reading 'The Eccentric Wealth' book too as I became fasinated by the life of Robert Bullough.
No midges but we stayed indoors during the evenings!
We will be back!!! Fiona Burgess,Earlswood,Warwickshire

We were here for four days in the school half term with two primary age kids. Staying in the William Bass room we found the hostel/ castle a perfect base for a relaxing break. Just be aware that it is as much hostel as castle.

We ate in the castle bistro every night and the chef was kind enough to check with us each morning what our kids would eat. He needn't have worried, they tried mexican food as well as venison for the first time and enjoyed them both. The other staff were also great - tracking down my boots when another guest mistakenly packed the wrong ones, checking on ferries running in the changeable weather, and letting us take over a corner of the bar for my son to watch the Champions League final.

An amazing place to be able to stay - particularly when you go on the castle tour and appreciate they way the castle used to be. We saw a stag down near the village within fifteen minutes of getting off the ferry - quite magical.

Stayed for the week-end with friends at kinloch castle hotel and absolutely loved it despite the wet ,wet ,wet, weather . The whole island is spectacularly beautiful and the wildlife amazing , lots of differant walks to do , thrilled to see the deer eating the sea weed in the bay at Kilmory . The castle itself is quirky and interesting and so in need of loving restoration , the tour is well worth doing. The hostel accomodation is one step up from basic and it could do with some tlc, but their four poster beds in the oak rooms are interesting and I really loved them. I can only say our stay was wonderful . I expected it to be cold and draughty but the whole place was cosy .The food in the bistro was excellant , hearty fare, huge portions and good value. The staff are all young helpful and knowledgeable, but laid back and relaxed it suited the place. The bar had a lovely log fire and candlelit after dark , wonderful !