Bothy
Burnmouth Bothy
A heather-thatched former crofthouse on the shore of Rackwick Bay, on the west side of Hoy, kept by the Hoy Trust as a shelter for campers and hill walkers. It is free to use; the trust asks for a small donation towards its upkeep. Historic Environment Scotland lists it at Category A as a rare surviving example of a 19th-century Orkney crofthouse with its byre: it is one of only around ten buildings in Orkney known to keep an intact thatched roof.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 0.6 km· 0.2 hrs
- Sleeps
- Not published
- Altitude
- Not published
- Condition
- Basic / rough
- Grid ref
- ND2047598744
- Maintained by
- Community maintained
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Not confirmed by any source we could check. Carry water, or treat burn water.
Our take
Burnmouth is less a mountain bothy than a listed building you are allowed to sleep in: a thatched croft on one of the finest bays in Scotland, a short walk from the car park, with the Old Man of Hoy walk starting from the same car park. Treat it accordingly. Bring a mat for the stone benches, leave it tidier than you found it, and put something in the donation box.
Getting there
Hoy's passenger ferry from Stromness lands at Moaness pier. From there, go to Rackwick by minibus or taxi, or on foot through Rackwick Glen. If you have a car on the island, park at the car park behind Rackwick beach. The bothy stands on a slight rise towards the middle of the bay, with the sea in front and cliffs either side, about 600m from the car park in a straight line.
Nearest parking: Rackwick beach car park, Hoy (ND 201 992)
No approach GPX yet
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What to expect inside
One large room with bare rubble walls. Raised stone benches along the long walls are the sleeping areas, so bring a mat and a sleeping bag. A wood-burning stove sits in the old fireplace; bring your own fuel, or gather driftwood from the beach for the next visitor. The old byre at one end is now a toilet. Historic Environment Scotland recorded the interior this way in 2017; we have not been inside.
Nearby hills
When to visit
The ferry timetable shapes any visit on foot, so check Orkney Ferries before you go. Destination Orkney reports that the bridge over the burn mouth has been swept away: cross with care, and never when the water is high.
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 local estate or syndicate for current status before relying on this bothy as shelter.
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:16
- Sunset
- 16:39
- Civil dawn
- 06:33
- Civil dusk
- 17:22
NOAA Solar Calculator · 26 October 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at Burnmouth Bothy? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Burnmouth Bothy — common questions
- How far is the walk into Burnmouth Bothy?
- Allow about 0.2 hours for the 0.6km approach from Rackwick beach car park, Hoy (ND 201 992). Hoy's passenger ferry from Stromness lands at Moaness pier.
- Is there a fire at Burnmouth Bothy?
- Yes — Burnmouth 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 sleeping spaces does Burnmouth Bothy have?
- The operator publishes no bed count for Burnmouth Bothy. Bothies are first-come-first-served and you may share with strangers, so carry a tent as a backup.
- Is there a water source near Burnmouth Bothy?
- Not confirmed by any source we could check. Carry water, or treat burn water.
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