Back Track Bothies

A trio of bespoke-designed, lovingly hand-crafted eco-retreats with a wood-fired Swedish bath for stargazing, nestled in the wild and scenic heart of the historic west Highlands.

The creation of Back Track Bothies, beautifully situated in the quaint, rural hamlet of Glenfinnan, was very much a local community effort.

Each eco-friendly bothy was built from Douglas fir, by a craftsman whose studio is just 20 minutes away, with stone and metalwork carried out by local experts. Meanwhile, the friendly family owners busied themselves with hefting stones, preparing sheep's wool insulation, and installing the turf roofs!

With Glenfinnan so steeped in history, the three bothies were named in honour of the MacDonalds of Clanranald, Keppoch, and Glenaladale, all of whom supported Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite Rising.

Each bothy sleeps three or four guests, and you'll find every last detail has been carefully thought about, to provide supreme comfort and luxury that's also kind to the planet.

Keppoch and Glenaladale each boast two double beds, while Clanranald sleeps two adults and one child, with a downy double bed and a single ‘bothy platform'... a fun wee hidey-hole equipped with an ex-Dutch army inflatable camping mat, soft pillows, and a warm sleeping bag made from recycled plastic.

Whichever bothy you choose, you'll enjoy full self-contained facilities. The kitchen includes an eco-kettle and recycled glasses, while the bathroom comes complete with a composting loo, a wooden basin, and a Grohe shower. Water is heated by clean, renewable electricity, and you'll have a ready supply of gorgeous vegan-friendly soaps, with a stack of ultra-soft bamboo towels.

Later on, curl up by your artisan-crafted log-burner for toasty evenings in together, reconnecting over good conversation, or curling up with a book from the selection provided (accompanied by a wee dram, of course!)

In the mood for a stargazing soak? You'll find plenty of communal wood available to heat up the shared, on-site Swedish outdoor bath (which is large enough for two!) for a full-on sensory treat you're unlikely to forget in a hurry.

After a sound night's sleep, why not head to your very own ‘sitooterie' for morning coffee? Use the binoculars provided to help you spot the abundant local wildlife, and you'll also find a dual-purpose firepit/BBQ (with charcoal/wood supplied) for sizzling sunset suppers later on... with locally-sourced produce available to order.

Use the time in between to get acquainted with the many charms of the local area, with white-sand beaches close by, and a plethora of nature walks right from the door.

If you'd like to know more about the area's Jacobite history, the Glenfinnan Monument, situated right at the head of Loch Shiel, is the perfect place to begin. Then, take the hillside Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail from the Victorian railway station, before finishing with a scoop of organic ice-cream in The Dining Car café!

Things to note

Arrive between 3pm - 7pm, depart by 10am. Pets are not permitted.