Bothy
The Lookout
The most northerly bothy on Skye — a former coastguard lookout at Rubha Hunish, the northern tip of the Trotternish peninsula. Built in 1928, it stopped serving as a lookout as radio communications improved and has been a bothy since the mid-1970s, taken over by the MBA in 2006.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- Not published
- Sleeps
- 3
- Altitude
- 50m
- Condition
- Good condition
- Grid ref
- NG412763
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fire / stove
- None
- Water
- No drinking water at the bothy or on the headland (MBA). Carry all the water you need.
- Mobile signal
- Patchy-to-no mobile signal on the headland.
- Dogs
- Dogs welcome off-lead
Our take
The Lookout earns its name — a former coastguard watch room perched on Skye's northernmost cliffs, with the Minch and the Outer Hebrides filling the bay window. It sleeps barely three and has no fire, so this is a bothy for watching rather than settling in, but the view is one of the best in the MBA's care.
Getting there
From the car park above the phone kiosk by the cattle grid (NG 422 742), follow the path north to Rubha Hunish. Rough grassy clifftop walking with boggy sections. There is a steep cliff face in front of the bothy.
Nearest parking: New car park above the phone kiosk by the cattle grid, NG 422 742 (MBA)
No approach GPX yet
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On the approach
- Beware of the steep cliff face in front of the bothy (MBA). Keep children and dogs close, especially in wind or poor visibility.
- There is no drinking water at the bothy or on the headland — carry all you need (MBA).
Stalking season / estate access
Open coastal headland with no significant stalking restriction.
What to expect inside
A small converted watch room — room for about three at most — with a large bay window looking out over the Minch. No fireplace, no running water, no electricity.
Nearby hills
When to visit
The exposed clifftop position means it can be windy and cold even in summer — no fireplace means no relief from the weather. Best April–October. Whale and dolphin sightings are most likely in calmer conditions.
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
- 07:28
- Sunset
- 16:50
- Civil dawn
- 06:47
- Civil dusk
- 17:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
Share your experience
Stayed at The Lookout? Help other walkers plan their visit.
Stock up at Portree
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
The Lookout — common questions
- How far is the walk into The Lookout?
- We have not found a published walk-in distance for The Lookout. From the car park above the phone kiosk by the cattle grid (NG 422 742), follow the path north to Rubha Hunish.
- Can you have a fire in The Lookout?
- No — The Lookout has no fire or stove. Bring a cooking stove and warm layers; an unheated bothy gets cold quickly after dark.
- How many sleeping spaces does The Lookout have?
- 3 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 a water source near The Lookout?
- No drinking water at the bothy or on the headland (MBA). Carry all the water you need.
- When's the best time to visit The Lookout?
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October are the months to aim for. Open coastal headland with no significant stalking restriction.
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