Bothy
Oban Bothy
A remote MBA bothy at the east end of Loch Morar, Britain's deepest freshwater loch, reached by a long walk along the trackless north shore or by boat. A two-floor building with sleeping platforms, deep in the Rough Bounds between Morar and Knoydart.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 12 km· 4 hrs
- Sleeps
- 4
- Altitude
- 10m
- Condition
- Good condition
- Grid ref
- NM863901
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Burns near the bothy and the loch itself; treat before drinking.
- Mobile signal
- No reliable mobile signal.
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach
Our take
A proper expedition bothy at the lonely head of Loch Morar — most people arrive footsore after the long shore walk or by boat. Remote, atmospheric and a fine base for the Rough Bounds. The two-floor building sleeps a crowd, and the silence once the day's walkers have gone is the whole point.
Getting there
Either a long, rough walk along the roadless north shore of Loch Morar from Bracorina, or a boat up the loch. Also reachable over the hills via Gleann Pean from Strathan.
Nearest parking: Bracorina, road end east of Morar (then shore path or boat)
No approach GPX yet
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Stalking season / estate access
Locked during the stalking season (roughly mid-August to late October) — check before visiting.
What to expect inside
A sleeping platform downstairs and a large first-floor sleeping area. No facilities beyond the building; carry fuel.
Nearby hills
When to visit
Locked during the stalking season, roughly mid-August to late October; otherwise open. The shore walk is long and rough in any season.
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
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 21:40
- Civil dawn
- 04:25
- Civil dusk
- 22:32
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at Oban Bothy? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Stock up at Mallaig
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Oban Bothy — common questions
- How long is the walk-in to Oban Bothy?
- 12km from Bracorina, road end east of Morar (then shore path or boat) — about 4 hours at a steady walking pace. Either a long, rough walk along the roadless north shore of Loch Morar from Bracorina, or a boat up the loch.
- Can you have a fire in Oban Bothy?
- Yes — there's a working fireplace at Oban Bothy. 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 Oban Bothy 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 Oban Bothy?
- Burns near the bothy and the loch itself; treat before drinking.
- What time of year is best for Oban Bothy?
- Plan around May, June, July, August, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.
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