Bothy
Tomsleibhe
An inland bothy up Glen Forsa on Mull, reached on foot from the A849. Two large rooms and one small one, with an open fire. MBA-maintained.
Quick facts
- Walk-in
- Not published
- Sleeps
- 10
- Altitude
- 50m
- Condition
- Fair condition
- Grid ref
- NM617372
- Maintained by
- Mountain Bothies Association
- Fire / stove
- Open fire
- Water
- River Forsa flows within 100m of the bothy; a smaller burn drains directly off the hillside east of the building. Collect from the upper burn above any grazing land.
- Mobile signal
- No mobile signal in Glen Forsa. Mull's interior glens have virtually no coverage; nearest reliable signal is approaching Salen or Craignure on the A849.
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead on approachLivestock on approach
Our take
Tomsleibhe is a quiet inland bothy in the middle of Mull rather than on its coast — a glen walk, a ford and a roomy building at the end. Watch the river: the ford is the one thing on this approach that can stop you.
Getting there
From the A849 at the foot of Glen Forsa, park 100m up the track (as the MBA asks) and walk up the glen. There is a ford on the way in that is difficult in spate. The MBA does not publish a walk-in distance or time.
Nearest parking: Track off the A849 at the foot of Glen Forsa — the MBA asks you to park 100m up the track
No approach GPX yet
Walked this approach? Share your track to help other bothy-goers.
On the approach
- The approach up Glen Forsa includes a ford that is difficult to cross in spate (MBA). Turn back rather than force it.
Stalking season / estate access
Glen Forsa estate. Stag stalking 15 Aug–20 Oct; hind culling to 15 Feb. Deer-control contact: 01680 300229 (MBA).
What to expect inside
Two large rooms and one small room, with an open fire. Sleeping is an 8-person double bunk plus a 2-person platform (MBA). Bring your own fuel.
Nearby hills
When to visit
CalMac ferry from Oban to Craignure, then a short drive to the foot of Glen Forsa. The ford is the limiting factor: after heavy rain it may not be crossable. Check stalking before visiting between mid-August and mid-February.
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
- 07:23
- Sunset
- 16:52
- Civil dawn
- 06:43
- Civil dusk
- 17:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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Stock up at Tobermory
Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.
Tomsleibhe — common questions
- How far is the walk into Tomsleibhe?
- We have not found a published walk-in distance for Tomsleibhe. From the A849 at the foot of Glen Forsa, park 100m up the track (as the MBA asks) and walk up the glen.
- Can you have a fire in Tomsleibhe?
- Tomsleibhe has an open fire. Bring fuel with you — usable wood near most Scottish bothies is scarce, and bothy furniture and boundary posts are not fuel.
- How many sleeping spaces does Tomsleibhe have?
- 10 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 Tomsleibhe?
- River Forsa flows within 100m of the bothy; a smaller burn drains directly off the hillside east of the building. Collect from the upper burn above any grazing land.
- When's the best time to visit Tomsleibhe?
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October are the months to aim for. Glen Forsa estate. Stag stalking 15 Aug–20 Oct; hind culling to 15 Feb. Deer-control contact: 01680 300229 (MBA).
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