How far is the walk into Tarf Hotel?

14km from Old Bridge of Tilt, Blair Atholl — about 4 hours at a steady walking pace. From Old Bridge of Tilt at Blair Atholl, follow the track north through Glen Tilt.

Does Tarf Hotel have a fireplace?

Yes — Tarf Hotel 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 Tarf Hotel 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 Tarf Hotel?

The Feith Uaine (green bog stream) runs past the bothy; the River Tarf is nearby. Treat all water. River crossings may be impassable in spate.

When can I visit Tarf Hotel?

Best months: May, June, July, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

How far is the walk into Tarf Hotel?

14km from Old Bridge of Tilt, Blair Atholl — about 4 hours at a steady walking pace. From Old Bridge of Tilt at Blair Atholl, follow the track north through Glen Tilt.

Does Tarf Hotel have a fireplace?

Yes — Tarf Hotel 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 Tarf Hotel 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 Tarf Hotel?

The Feith Uaine (green bog stream) runs past the bothy; the River Tarf is nearby. Treat all water. River crossings may be impassable in spate.

When can I visit Tarf Hotel?

Best months: May, June, July, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

Bothy

Tarf Hotel

A well-known bothy deep in Glen Tilt, named with tongue-in-cheek grandeur. The walk-in through Glen Tilt is one of the great Scottish glen walks — 14km of river, pine and mountain.

Quick facts

Walk-in: 14 km· 4 hrs
Sleeps: 6
Altitude: 470m
Condition: Good condition
Grid ref: NN927789
Maintained by: Mountain Bothies Association
Fireplace: Yes
Water: The Feith Uaine (green bog stream) runs past the bothy; the River Tarf is nearby. Treat all water. River crossings may be impassable in spate.
Mobile signal: No signal. One of the most remote bothies in Scotland, 15km+ from any road in all directions.
Dogs: Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach

Our take

The Tarf Hotel is a Scottish institution. The name is a joke — it is a stone hut with no plumbing — but the walk through Glen Tilt is genuinely one of the finest glen walks in Scotland, and the bothy at the end is perfectly placed for Beinn a' Ghlo. Cycle in.

Getting there

From Old Bridge of Tilt at Blair Atholl, follow the track north through Glen Tilt. Excellent path throughout — one of the best-maintained estate tracks in the Highlands. Allow 3.5–4 hours.

Nearest parking: Old Bridge of Tilt, Blair Atholl

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Stalking season / estate access

Atholl Estates. Stag stalking mid-August to 20 October; hind stalking October to February. Contact Atholl Estates before autumn visits to this very remote location.

What to expect inside

Well-maintained MBA bothy with fireplace and sleeping space for 6. The name "Hotel" is ironic but the bothy is comfortable by mountain standards. Visitors book records generations of walkers.

Nearby hills

Multi-bothy trips

Tarf Hotel → Allt Scheicheachan

Roughly 12km of remote moorland and river walking connects Allt Scheicheachan to the Tarf Hotel, forming a challenging two-day Forest of Atholl traverse.

24 km

Tarf Hotel → Ruigh-aiteachain

Demanding multi-day wilderness crossing north through the Geldie Burn corridor into Glen Feshie. Requires excellent navigation across featureless plateau.

30 km

When to visit

The long approach means this is best in longer days (April–September). Glen Tilt is a popular through-route and the bothy can be busy on summer weekends. Mountain bike the track to save 2 hours each way.

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.

Submit report

Daylight Today

20h 04mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:21
Sunset: 22:10
Civil dawn: 03:14
Civil dusk: 23:18

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

Share your experience

Stayed at Tarf Hotel? Help other walkers plan their visit.

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Stock up at Pitlochry

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

On TripSCOT

town

Pitlochry

Perthshire base — Schiehallion, Beinn a Ghlo, Ben Vrackie

20km from the bothy

tripscot.co.uk

Tarf Hotel — common questions

How far is the walk into Tarf Hotel?: 14km from Old Bridge of Tilt, Blair Atholl — about 4 hours at a steady walking pace. From Old Bridge of Tilt at Blair Atholl, follow the track north through Glen Tilt.
Does Tarf Hotel have a fireplace?: Yes — Tarf Hotel 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 Tarf Hotel 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 Tarf Hotel?: The Feith Uaine (green bog stream) runs past the bothy; the River Tarf is nearby. Treat all water. River crossings may be impassable in spate.
When can I visit Tarf Hotel?: Best months: May, June, July, September. During the stalking season (August-October), contact the estate before visiting.

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