Bothy
A' Chuil Bothy
Sitting above remote Loch Ossian and accessible from Corrour Station — Britain's most remote railway station — A' Chuil is the train-accessible bothy. 6 km / 1.5 h walk-in. Sleeps 6, good, MBA-maintained.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 5 km· 1.3 hrs
- Sleeps
- 6
- Altitude
- 300m
- Condition
- Good condition
- Grid ref
- NM944924
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Allt Coire a' Ghabhalach or the nearby glen burn flowing past the bothy.
- Mobile signal
- No reliable mobile signal at the bothy — plan to be out of contact.
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach
Our take
A' Chuil is the bothy you reach by train, which makes it unique. The Caledonian Sleeper from London delivers you to Corrour at 9am; by 10:30 you are at the bothy. Bag Beinn na Lap in the afternoon, watch the sunset over Rannoch Moor, and catch the train home next morning. There is no lower-effort way to experience genuine Scottish wilderness.
Getting there
Take the Caledonian Sleeper or ScotRail to Corrour Station (no road access). Walk south along Loch Ossian then climb gently to the bothy above the loch's south shore. The entire approach is on reasonable paths. Allow 1.5 hours from the station.
Nearest parking: Strathan, head of Loch Arkaig
No approach GPX yet
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Stalking season / estate access
Red deer stag stalking generally runs from mid-August to 20 October; check locally (e.g. the managing estate or Heading for the Scottish Hills) before visiting in season.
What to expect inside
Well-maintained MBA bothy with fireplace, sleeping platform and two rooms. The views over Loch Ossian to the Rannoch Moor hills are superb from the door.
Nearby hills
Multi-bothy trips
A long cross-moorland route eastward across the fringes of Rannoch Moor, linking two remote Central Highland bothies.
18 km
When to visit
Train access makes this viable year-round. Winter trains occasionally face delays in snow. The Corrour Station cafe operates seasonally. Summer weekends can be busy — the train access makes this popular.
Wildfire risk — May to October
Dry conditions increase wildfire risk during summer. Never light fires in the open. Use the bothy fireplace only, and ensure it is fully out before you leave.
Current conditions
Condition unverified
We have not received a recent visitor report for this bothy. Check the MBA bothy register for current status before relying on this bothy as shelter.
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:18
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:25
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at A' Chuil Bothy? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Stock up at Fort William
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
A' Chuil Bothy — common questions
- How far is the walk into A' Chuil Bothy?
- 5km from Strathan, head of Loch Arkaig — about 1.3 hours at a steady walking pace. Take the Caledonian Sleeper or ScotRail to Corrour Station (no road access).
- Does A' Chuil Bothy have a fireplace?
- Yes — A' Chuil Bothy has a working fireplace. Bring your own firewood; natural wood at most Scottish bothies is scarce, and burning bothy furniture or boundary posts is not acceptable.
- How many people does A' Chuil Bothy sleep?
- 6 sleeping spaces — but bothies operate first-come-first-served and you may share with strangers. On busy weekends parties often pitch a tent outside if the bothy is full.
- Is there water at A' Chuil Bothy?
- Allt Coire a' Ghabhalach or the nearby glen burn flowing past the bothy.
- When can I visit A' Chuil Bothy?
- Best months: May, June, July, August, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.
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