7 Scottish bothies on beaches - and how to find them

Living by the sea on a tranquil beach is a dream for many - you can make it a reality by visiting one of these free to visit, seaside bothies.

Kearvaig Bothy near Cape Wrath on Scotland's north coast (Photo: Flickr / Jakub Solovsk)

Peanmeanach, Ardnish

Previously a prosperous fishing village, Peanmeanach has decayed into little more than a few derelict buildings and a bothy. Set on a secluded beach, this bothy is a wonderful getaway for anyone looking for an escape.

Perched on the Ardnish Peninsula, the remote bothy can be reached from ta layby on the A830 between Lochailort and Beasdale Station. From the layby, follow signs for Peanmeanach, crossing through birch forest and over a railway line. Follow the paths along Loch Beag before heading inland over moorland.

Now descend through woodland until the path becomes clearer and Peanmeanach comes into sight.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.ukAn Cladach, Islay

Situated on the west coast of Islay, An Cladach is a home away from home, carefully decorated with homely touches throughout.

There's no easy approach to this coastal retreat. Start in Storakaig and make a beeline east for Glen Logan over boggy terrain. Now carefully skirt south along Rubh' a' Chladaich a rocky shore. Once you've navigated the tricky coastal terrain An Cladach comes into view. We recommend attempting this walk during low tide.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.ukUags, Applecross

Located on the Applecross peninsula, this seaside bothy has unrivalled views of Skye and its slighter neighbour Raasay.

Start your journey to the bothy at Upper Toscaig, crossing a footbridge signed for Uags itself. Follow this path until a second sign is reached, and head right. Now climb through moorland keeping left of a lochan. Continue along the well marked path over verdant terrain, crossing a stream until a cairn is reached. From here the route undulates south over moorland until the bothy is reached.

This is an arduous route, and a rest at Uags will be well earned.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.ukGlengarrisdale, Jura

Situated over Glengarrisdale Bay on the northwest coast Isle of Jura, this bothy offers excellent views of neighbouring Mull.

Start at a quarry several kilometres north of Ardlussa in the north of the island. From here a wild an lengthy walk begins. From the quarry follow a 4x4 track for 1 and a half kilometres before heading left over an even rougher track. This track becomes boggy and begins to climb after a kilometre or so. The track eventually descends to the banks of Loch Doire na h-Achlaise. Follow this track through Glen Garrisdale until the bothy itself is reached. Consider visiting Maclean's Skull Cave during your stay here.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.ukKearvaig, Durness

Set in the northern reaches of Scotland on a white beach in close proximity to Cape Wrath, few bothies are blessed with a setting as stunning as Kearvaig.

Reach the glorious getaway by parking on a single-track road which runs from the Kyle of Durness to Cape Wrath Lighthouse. Follow a well paved route for roughly 7 miles over moorland until Kearvaig Bay is reached.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.ukThe Lookout, Skye

This former Coastguard outpost offers magnificent panoramic views of Skye's wild north.

Best of all the bothy is relatively easy to reach. Park at Kilmaluaig Bay and follow a sign for Rubha Hunish. Pass through a gate and then head towards the cliff edge and follow the clifftop untill The Lookout bothy is reached.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.ukUisnis, South Uist

This bothy is in a world of its own, sitting above a remote bay on outlying hebridean island South Uist.

Starting by Loch Sgioport, follow a path which climbs above the the abandoned settlement of Caolas Mor. Now navigate an area of dense bog heading in the general direction of Rubha Roiseal Head along the coast, crossing a footbridge before following a path towards Uisnis Lighthouse. From here cross open moor above the bay until the bothy is reached.

Visit: mountainbothies.org.uk