Bothy
Rowchoish
Rowchoish is the West Highland Way's first bothy — a former byre of Rowchoish cottage, hidden in mossy oak and pine woodland on the east shore of Loch Lomond north of Rowardennan. The cottage was occupied until the late 1930s; in 1759 nine families lived in this now-empty stretch of shore. It was renovated in 1965 in memory of William Ferris, a stalwart of the Scottish outdoor movement, and has been in MBA care since 1977.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 7 km· 2 hrs
- Sleeps
- 6
- Altitude
- 34m
- Condition
- Basic / rough
- Grid ref
- NN336043
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Water
- Burns cross the West Highland Way either side of the bothy; none is a formal supply. Treat before drinking.
Our take
Rowchoish is more interesting as a place than as accommodation: one smoke-darkened room on Scotland's busiest long-distance path, with two centuries of cleared-township history around it. As a WHW night it beats a midge-bound tent. As a destination in its own right it is a 2-hour walk to a basic shelter — fine, but Doune Byre 8km north is the same trip with a different story. We would still take the fireplace over neither.
Getting there
From Rowardennan car park follow the West Highland Way north for about 7km — forest track at first, then the rougher loch-shore path with wet, slippery granite slabs. The bothy is not signposted and sits below the path among trees, so it is genuinely easy to walk straight past: watch for it roughly 4km north of Ptarmigan Lodge. Allow around 2 hours.
Nearest parking: Rowardennan car park (paid) at the end of the east Loch Lomond road
No approach GPX yet
Walked this approach? Share your track to help other bothy-goers.
What to expect inside
A single room with a raised wooden sleeping platform at the back — comfortable for six, eight at a squeeze — plus a table and chairs by the open fireplace and shelves of fire-blackened pots left by years of walkers. Walls darkened by countless fires. No stove, and WHW traffic means it sees heavy use and the occasional rubbish problem: carry yours out and some of theirs.
Nearby hills
Multi-bothy trips
The two West Highland Way bothies, roughly 8km apart along the loch shore — an easy two-night plod for a first bothy weekend, or one night each on a north- and south-bound Way.
8 km
When to visit
Accessible year-round on a low-level path. Busiest in WHW season (April to October) when bunks can fill on weekend nights — a tent backup is sensible in summer. Winter nights here are quiet and the fire matters; bring fuel, as dead wood near the bothy is long gone.
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
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:04
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 10 June 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at Rowchoish? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Stock up at Luss
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Rowchoish — common questions
- How far is the walk into Rowchoish?
- 7km from Rowardennan car park (paid) at the end of the east Loch Lomond road — about 2 hours at a steady walking pace. From Rowardennan car park follow the West Highland Way north for about 7km — forest track at first, then the rougher loch-shore path with wet, slippery granite slabs.
- Does Rowchoish have a fireplace?
- Yes — Rowchoish 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 people does Rowchoish sleep?
- 6 sleeping spaces — but bothies operate first-come-first-served and you may share with strangers. On busy weekends parties often pitch a tent outside if the bothy is full.
- Is there water at Rowchoish?
- Burns cross the West Highland Way either side of the bothy; none is a formal supply. Treat before drinking.
- When can I visit Rowchoish?
- Best months: April, May, September, October. Outside the best months, expect winter conditions on the approach and full mountain kit may be needed.
Bag more bothies
One email a week — new bothy and hill guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.