How far is the walk into Strathchailleach?

We have not found a published walk-in distance for Strathchailleach. Usually reached from the Sandwood Bay path out of Blairmore, then north across rough, partly trackless moorland.

Is there heating at Strathchailleach?

Strathchailleach has a fire or stove. Bring fuel with you — usable wood near most Scottish bothies is scarce, and bothy furniture and boundary posts are not fuel.

How big is Strathchailleach inside?

There's room for about 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 Strathchailleach?

Strath Chailleach burn running through the strath immediately beside the bothy.

Photo: Ian Bolton / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Bothy

Strathchailleach

A remote bothy on the Parph moorland north of Sandwood Bay, on the Cape Wrath Trail. Famous as the long-term home of James McRory-Smith ("Sandy"), who lived here for over 40 years.

Quick facts

Walk-in: Not published
Sleeps: 4
Altitude: 60m
Condition: Fair condition
Grid ref: NC249658
Maintained by: Mountain Bothies Association
Fire / stove: Fire or stove
Water: Strath Chailleach burn running through the strath immediately beside the bothy.
Mobile signal: No signal. One of Scotland's most remote bothies — on the Cape Wrath Trail with no infrastructure for miles.
Dogs: Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach

Our take

Strathchailleach is a ghost story. A man lived here alone for over 40 years, in some of the emptiest landscape in Britain, between the ocean and the firing range. It is not comfortable. It is unforgettable.

Getting there

Usually reached from the Sandwood Bay path out of Blairmore, then north across rough, partly trackless moorland. Cape Wrath Trail walkers arrive from Sandwood Bay. A new sheep fence crosses the Parph; keep the gate at NC 244 656 shut. The MBA does not publish a walk-in distance.

Nearest parking: Blairmore, on the Sandwood Bay road north of Kinlochbervie

No approach GPX yet

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On the approach

Red flags are flown when the Cape Wrath range is in use; access is strictly prohibited while they fly (MBA).
Working sheep farm: keep the gate at NC 244 656 shut (MBA).

Stalking season / estate access

Working sheep farm (MBA): keep gates shut and dogs on a lead. Check the Cape Wrath range red flags before heading north of the bothy.

What to expect inside

Small MBA bothy with an open fire. Only peat is available locally, so bring fuel. Renovated in 1999; the walls still carry Sandy’s paintings and the visitors’ book holds decades of through-walkers.

Nearby hills

Multi-bothy trips

Strathchailleach → Kearvaig

Cape Wrath peninsula pairing north of Sandwood Bay; extremely remote rough-country walking between them.

When to visit

The Cape Wrath range can close the ground to the north: when red flags are flying, access is strictly prohibited. Best May–September. The Parph is exposed to Atlantic weather with minimal shelter.

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.

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Daylight Today

10h 40mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:26
Sunset: 16:42
Civil dawn: 06:44
Civil dusk: 17:24

NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026

Share your experience

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Stock up at Durness

Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.

On TripSCOT

town

Durness

Cape Wrath base; Smoo Cave; Sandwood Bay walk-in

15km from the bothy

tripscot.co.uk

Strathchailleach — common questions

How far is the walk into Strathchailleach?: We have not found a published walk-in distance for Strathchailleach. Usually reached from the Sandwood Bay path out of Blairmore, then north across rough, partly trackless moorland.
Is there heating at Strathchailleach?: Strathchailleach has a fire or stove. Bring fuel with you — usable wood near most Scottish bothies is scarce, and bothy furniture and boundary posts are not fuel.
How big is Strathchailleach inside?: There's room for about 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 Strathchailleach?: Strath Chailleach burn running through the strath immediately beside the bothy.
What time of year is best for Strathchailleach?: Plan around May, June, July, August, September. Working sheep farm (MBA): keep gates shut and dogs on a lead. Check the Cape Wrath range red flags before heading north of the bothy.

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