Bothy
Strathchailleach
A remote bothy on the Cape Wrath Trail between Sandwood Bay and the cape itself. Famous as the long-term home of James McRory-Smith, the hermit who lived here for 32 years.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- 14 km· 4.5 hrs
- Sleeps
- 4
- Altitude
- 60m
- Condition
- Fair condition
- Grid ref
- NC249658
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fireplace
- Yes
- 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 32 years. The MOD fired shells over his roof. He stayed. The bothy sits in some of the emptiest landscape in Britain, between the ocean and the firing range. It is not comfortable. It is unforgettable.
Getting there
From the track end at Lone, head north on rough paths through the Parph moorland. Trackless in sections. Allow 4.5–5 hours. Cape Wrath Trail walkers reach it from Sandwood Bay to the south (4 hours).
Nearest parking: Lone (on the road to Kinlochbervie)
No approach GPX yet
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Stalking season / estate access
Sandwood/Cape Wrath Estate. Stalking September–October; Cape Wrath Trail users should liaise with the estate.
What to expect inside
Small MBA bothy with a fireplace and space for 4. Fair condition. The interior shows its age but the roof is sound. James McRory-Smith's presence haunts the visitors book — entries from decades of through-walkers.
Nearby hills
Multi-bothy trips
Cape Wrath peninsula pairing north of Sandwood Bay; extremely remote rough-country walking between them.
20 km
When to visit
MOD firing range schedules can block access — check before setting out. Best May–September. The Parph is exposed to Atlantic weather with minimal shelter. Winter access requires serious commitment.
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
- 05:05
- Sunset
- 21:48
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:44
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at Strathchailleach? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Stock up at Durness
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Strathchailleach — common questions
- How long is the walk-in to Strathchailleach?
- 14km from Lone (on the road to Kinlochbervie) — about 4.5 hours at a steady walking pace. From the track end at Lone, head north on rough paths through the Parph moorland.
- Can you have a fire in Strathchailleach?
- Yes — there's a working fireplace at Strathchailleach. 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 Strathchailleach 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 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. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.
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