How long is the walk-in to Barrisdale?

10km from Kinloch Hourn road end — about 3 hours at a steady walking pace. From the end of the Kinloch Hourn road, follow the coastal path west along the north shore of Loch Hourn.

Can you have a fire in Barrisdale?

Yes — there's a working fireplace at Barrisdale. Carry your own fuel in: dead wood is scarce around most Scottish bothies, and burning furniture or fence posts is never on.

How big is Barrisdale inside?

There's room for 12. Bothies are first-come-first-served though, and sharing with strangers is normal — on busy weekends late arrivals often end up pitching a tent outside.

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. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

Bothy

Barrisdale

A large estate bothy in Barrisdale Bay on the north shore of Loch Hourn. The main basecamp for Ladhar Bheinn — Scotland's most remote mainland Munro. NOT free: the estate charges £5 per person per night (honesty box), first-come-first-served with no bookings taken. 12-place bothy across two bunk rooms, 10 km / 3.0 h walk-in; good, estate-maintained.

Quick facts

Walk-in: 10 km· 3 hrs
Sleeps: 12
Altitude: 10m
Condition: Good condition
Grid ref: NG871044
Maintained by: Estate maintained
Fireplace: Yes
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 coastal path west along the north shore of Loch Hourn. Rough, undulating path with some exposure. Allow 3 hours.

Nearest parking: Kinloch Hourn road end

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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. Well-maintained. The bay setting with Ladhar Bheinn rising behind is spectacular. Tables and benches in the main room make this a sociable bothy. £5pp/night via honesty box; 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

Multi-bothy trips

Barrisdale → Suardalan

North along the Loch Hourn shore then through Glen More to Glenelg — a fine 2-day route connecting Knoydart to the mainland Glenelg hills.

20 km

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): £5pp/night honesty box, first-come-first-served, capacity 12 across two bunk rooms.

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Daylight Today

18h 09mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:16
Sunset: 21:41
Civil dawn: 04:24
Civil dusk: 22:33

NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026

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Stock up at Mallaig

Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.

On TripSCOT

town

Mallaig

Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply

21km from the bothy

tripscot.co.uk

Barrisdale — common questions

How long is the walk-in to Barrisdale?: 10km from Kinloch Hourn road end — about 3 hours at a steady walking pace. From the end of the Kinloch Hourn road, follow the coastal path west along the north shore of Loch Hourn.
Can you have a fire in Barrisdale?: Yes — there's a working fireplace at Barrisdale. Carry your own fuel in: dead wood is scarce around most Scottish bothies, and burning furniture or fence posts is never on.
How big is Barrisdale inside?: There's room for 12. Bothies are first-come-first-served though, and sharing with strangers is normal — on busy weekends late arrivals often end up pitching a tent outside.
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. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

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