Bothy
Barrisdale
A large estate bothy at Barrisdale Bay on the south shore of Loch Hourn, the usual base for Ladhar Bheinn. NOT free: the estate charges a nightly fee per person (honesty box), first come first served with no bookings taken — see the estate’s own page for the current rate. Estate-run, sleeps 12 across two bunk rooms.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- Not published
- Sleeps
- 12
- Altitude
- 10m
- Condition
- Good condition
- Grid ref
- NG871044
- Maintained by
- Estate maintained
- Fire / stove
- Fire or stove
- Water
- Allt a' Choilich and numerous burns from Ladhar Bheinn's corries — excellent, plentiful water supply year-round.
- Mobile signal
- No signal at bay level. Possibly intermittent signal on upper slopes of Ladhar Bheinn overlooking Loch Hourn; cannot be relied upon.
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach
Our take
Barrisdale is the gateway to Ladhar Bheinn, which is widely considered the finest Munro in Scotland. The mountain rises from sea level in a single sweep of rock and grass. The bothy is comfortable, the bay is beautiful, and the hill above will stay with you for years.
Getting there
From the end of the Kinloch Hourn road, follow the path west along the south shore of Loch Hourn. Rough, undulating path with some exposure.
Nearest parking: Kinloch Hourn road end
No approach GPX yet
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Stalking season / estate access
Barrisdale Estate (privately owned, ~7,000 acres). Stag stalking August–October. The estate runs commercial stalking; walkers should check with the estate (barrisdaleestate.com) for hill access during the season.
What to expect inside
Large estate bothy with two bunk rooms (capacity 12) plus a communal room, fireplace and toilet. The estate charges a nightly fee via honesty box (rate on barrisdaleestate.com); first come first served — the estate does not take bookings. If full, the adjacent campsite is the fallback. Take your rubbish away with you.
Nearby hills
When to visit
The approach requires good weather for the coastal path. Best April–October. Deer stalking season means consulting the estate. Summer weekends can be busy.
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
Last condition reportJuly 2026
Fee and capacity confirmed via the operator’s own site (barrisdaleestate.com/the-bothy) on 2026-07-23: nightly honesty-box charge, first come first served, capacity 12 across two bunk rooms.
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:23
- Sunset
- 16:49
- Civil dawn
- 06:43
- Civil dusk
- 17:29
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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Stock up at Mallaig
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Barrisdale — common questions
- How far is the walk into Barrisdale?
- We have not found a published walk-in distance for Barrisdale. From the end of the Kinloch Hourn road, follow the path west along the south shore of Loch Hourn.
- Is there heating at Barrisdale?
- Yes — Barrisdale has a fire or stove. Carry your own fuel in: dead wood is scarce around most Scottish bothies, and burning bothy furniture or fence posts is never acceptable.
- How big is Barrisdale inside?
- Barrisdale sleeps around 12. A charge applies — see the details on this page. Carry a tent as a backup in case it is full.
- Where do you get water at Barrisdale?
- Allt a' Choilich and numerous burns from Ladhar Bheinn's corries — excellent, plentiful water supply year-round.
- What time of year is best for Barrisdale?
- Plan around May, June, July, August, September. Barrisdale Estate (privately owned, ~7,000 acres). Stag stalking August–October. The estate runs commercial stalking; walkers should check with the estate (barrisdaleestate.com) for hill access during the season.
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