Bothy
Kinbreack
The converted stable of a former shepherd's cottage in lonely Glen Kingie, north of Loch Arkaig, renovated by the MBA in 1969. It is roughly 6 hard kilometres from Strathan over rough ground, and reaching the surrounding hills usually means crossing the River Kingie, which can be impassable in spate.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 6 km· 2 hrs
- Sleeps
- 4
- Altitude
- 120m
- Condition
- Fair condition
- Grid ref
- NN002961
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Glen Kingie burns run near the bothy; the River Kingie is close. Treat before drinking.
- 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
Wet, remote and rarely busy, Kinbreack rewards those willing to deal with rough ground and a serious river. Time it for a dry spell. The River Kingie can be impassable after rain, so treat it as a fair-weather bothy; get it right and the Glen Kingie hills are all but yours.
Getting there
From Strathan at the head of Loch Arkaig, a rough 6km over the Feith a' Chicheanais into Glen Kingie. The River Kingie between the bothy and the hills can be uncrossable after rain.
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
A small, basic bothy in the old stable building — spartan, and often damp. Bring fuel.
Nearby hills
Multi-bothy trips
A long, pathless cross-country link through remote Lochaber glen country — demanding, with no marked route between the two.
23 km
When to visit
Glen Kingie is one of the wettest places in Scotland — the upper glen averages well over 4,500mm of rain a year. River crossings dominate any plan.
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
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:40
- Civil dawn
- 04:24
- Civil dusk
- 22:32
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at Kinbreack? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Stock up at Fort William
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Kinbreack — common questions
- How long is the walk-in to Kinbreack?
- 6km from Strathan, head of Loch Arkaig — about 2 hours at a steady walking pace. From Strathan at the head of Loch Arkaig, a rough 6km over the Feith a' Chicheanais into Glen Kingie.
- Can you have a fire in Kinbreack?
- Yes — there's a working fireplace at Kinbreack. 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 Kinbreack inside?
- There's room for 4. 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 Kinbreack?
- Glen Kingie burns run near the bothy; the River Kingie is close. Treat before drinking.
- What time of year is best for Kinbreack?
- Plan around May, June, July, August, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.
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