Bothy
Essan
A small bothy in the hills between Loch Shin and Oykel Bridge in central Sutherland. Remote moorland country with a character all its own.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 7 km~2h 45m
- Sleeps
- 4
- Altitude
- 200m
- Condition
- Fair condition
- Grid ref
- NH230314
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Nearby
Our take
Essan is deep Sutherland — a place where the peat stretches to the horizon and the nearest neighbour is a deer. The bothy is basic but the emptiness is the point. If you need company, go elsewhere.
Getting there
From Strathmore Lodge on the A837, follow estate tracks east then south into the hills. Good track for the first half, rougher later. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Nearest parking: Strathmore Lodge on the A837
What to expect inside
Small MBA bothy with a fireplace and space for 4. Fair condition. The interior is basic but the roof is sound. Firewood is scarce — carry your own.
Nearby hills & attractions
Ben More Assynt (998m) is accessible from here via a long day. The Flow Country peatland — a UNESCO World Heritage candidate — stretches to the east.
When to visit
Deer stalking season (August–October) is active in this area — check with the Glencassley estate. Winter brings very short days at this northern latitude.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:28
- Sunset
- 21:05
- Civil dawn
- 04:40
- Civil dusk
- 21:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 2 May 2026
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