10 Amazing Converted Bothies in Scotland to Stay In

A unique accommodation option in Scotland is to spend a night in a bothy. This post lists the best converted bothies in Scotland to stay in. 

Bothies are popular for those you are on long distance walks or who enjoy the outdoors and camping. Now, there are some options where the bothies have been refurbished to an amazing standard, holiday home or have been built to feel and look like a comfortable bothy.

What are Bothies?

A bothy is a basic shelter either a small hut or cottage, which was mainly used for housing farm laboureres or to use as a mountain refuge. Bothies are particularly common int he Scottish Highlands and are found in the rest of Scotland, Northern England and Wales. 

The simple structures can be found in the mountains, or a remote location and are left open for weary walkers. There are no water, no bedding and they can be really good to stay in. 

Also, bothies can be found on farms or in fields are were used for farm labourers while they wre working in the large field. 

Balvalachlan Farm, Stirling

The Bothy has a modern interior with a spacious living and dining area. There is a hot tub which makes your stay even more relaxing.  

This is the perfect place to go for a unique and tranquil getaway. Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

In addition, pets are welcome, there is a flat-screen TV and fully kitted kitchen, it a great place to read a book. Also, there there is a hot tub to relax in, or you can play giant chess or putting. 

The location is in the Trossachs and there are many attractions near by. The accommodation is not far from many attractions in the Stirling area, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs including the Lake of Menteith, Mugdock Country Park and Loch Katrine. 

Bonnie’s Bothy, Port of Menteith

Bonnie’s Bothy has everything to make you comfortable for a short stay. Pets are allowed on request and the bothy sleeps up to two people.

There is a lovely living and dining area with a TV and a fully equipped kitchen. It is in a great location and is the perfect place to relax after a long hike or day exploring. 

There are plenty of attractions in the local area, it is not far from Stirling, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Some of the nearby attractions include Doune Castle, Stirling Castle and Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park. 

Also, you can visit Rob Roy’s Grave, Hamilton Toy Collection, the 13th century island monastery Inchmahom Priory and Doon Hill. The long distance walking route – Roy Roy Way is not far away.

The Garrison of Inversnaid Farm, Inversnaid

The Garrison of Inversnaid Farm was built in 1719 and is set in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The property features in the TV documentary, Grand Tours of Scotland Lochs. 

The Garrison of Inversnaid is a studio-contained apartment which is located in a converted bothy. There is a lovely living and dining area with a flat-screen TV. 

Outside, there is a hot tub, private garden and BBQ area. There is an option to enjoy a delicious home-cooked traditional Scottish breakfast. 

There are many activities to enjoy in the area including skiing, cycling and hiking. Also, guests can enjoy a personised farm tour, where there are opportunities to meet, feed and pet farm animals.

Inversnaid is a small lovely hamlet with only 10 permanent residents. Also, Inversnaid is surrounded by perfect landscapes, Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine is nearby. 

The long distance walking route – West Highland Way is nearby. Also, you can visit the hidden gem of Inversnaid Waterfall. 

The Old School House, Arden

The Old School House Bothy has been transformed into a state of the art bolthole. Overall, the bothy is charming througohut and detail in the decor are exceptional. 

The interior has so many home comforts, making guests feel very relaxed immediately. There are beautiful views over the surrounding hillsides.

Also, there is outdoor seating which is a great place to relax, soak in the scenery, hear the birdsong and see some deer. The old bothy is close enough to Luss to be near amenities and nice places to eat, however, it still feels isolated and tranquil. 

The Old School House is a great place to base yourself for exploring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The Luss Faerie Trial is nearby and Luss is not far from Arrochar Alps. 

The Bothy, Saint Fillans

The Bothy in Saint Fillians is extremely small and has a studio layout. Guests can enjoy a small log burner, a coffee machine, a basic kitchen, a bed, a bathroom and an outdoor seating area.

The Bothy sleeps two people. On arrival, guests are welcomed with a food and drink pack. 

St Fillians is located in Perthshire on the eastern edge of Loch Earn. This is a good place to stay to view the sleepy loch enjoy one of the nearby woodland walks and continue on onward journeys.

St Fillians is a lovely place to base yourself for exploring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Things to do nearby are Ben Vorlich and Stuc a’Chroin, Falls of Dochart, Ben Lawers and Comrie. 

Cleugh Farm, Forth

The Bothy is located on the working family farm and is a great place to base yourself for exploring Central Scotland. Once this building was a disused farm building, the restoration project has one a couple of Scottish and National awards.

This holiday home features one bedroom and a fully fitted kitchen with a dishwasher. Forth is a small village located in South Lanarkshire. The settlement is not far between Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

Forth is not far from the UNESCO site of New Lanark, also, the Clyde Walkway and Clyde Valley Tourist Route. Also, Falkirk, Forth Valley Tourist Route and Edinburgh is a drive away from the Bothy.

The Bothy, Dumfries and Galloway

The Bothy is a sleeps up to four people in a two bedroom holiday home equipped with a TV, a washing machine and a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher. 

There is an excellent warm welcome and welcome pack with flowers, scones and fluffy towels. The facilities were of a high standard and the beds are extremely comfortable. 

The Bothy is located two miles from the sea and is the ideal base for families and couples.

Enoch is located on the southwest coast of Scotland, near Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway. Guests can head to Stranraer, join the South West Coastal 300 or drive to the most southern part of Scotland – the Mull of Galloway.

Barnhill Bothy, Dumfries and Galloway

Barnhill Bothy is a small old bothy, converted into a one-bedroom accommodation with a conservatory. The bothy is not far from the A70, Beattock and Moffat. 

Barnhill Bothy is set in three acres of grounds, wheree you are free to wander, relax and enjoy the tranquil settings. 

The Grey Mares Tail Nature Reserve and surrounding hills are not far away, also, keen hikers can join the Annandale Way or Southern Upland Way. Moffat is nearby and is famed for woollen mills, toffee shops, flower displays and a boating lake.

The Bothy

The location is brilliant, you are only five minutes from St Andrews. Meanwhile, staying in the tranquil Fife countryside oasis with the feeling that you are far away from any civilisation.  

Up to four people can stay in the architectural haven. There is an open plan living room and kitchen with patio doors that fold onto a decking area.

The Bothy is a great place to stay if you want to visit St Andrews, go to Dundee, see the East Neuk of Fife or visit Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve.

Anniston Mill, Arbroath

This excellent bothy has been done up to an amazing quality. It is very modern, with white interiors and skylights on the roof which bring lots of light in. 

The bothy is very comfortable and everything you need is there. The accommodation is set in a beautiful, quiet and peaceful setting with the beach nearby. 

The Anniston Mill includes two bedroom and sleeps up to four people. Back in the day, this bothy was used as accmmodation for the mill works hat staffed Anninston Mill. 

The Anniston Mill is located north of Arbroath. It is the perfect location to explore Lunan Bay, Arbroath, Arbroath Cliff Walk and the Angus Coastal Route.

Schenbothy, Brucefield Estate

Schenbothy is of the UK’s best Scandi-style escapes. Also, this is an eco-friendly sustainable holiday home where contemporary design is combined with conservation and wildlife. 

It is a compact lodge with a small kitchenette, bathroom and steps leading to the bed upstairs. The cabin is set in the lovely Brucefield Estate and there is a lovely balcony at the cabin.

Schenbothy is located under one hour from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Stirling. Also, St Andrews is an hour away so you can see many attractions in central Scotland. 

Guests can enjoy nearby hikes in the Forest Mill area. Also, Schenbothy is a pet-friendly accommodation. 

The Brucefield Estate is not far from many attractions including Alva Glen, Dollar Glen, Japanese Gardens, Culross, Falkirk and Dunfermline.

How Many bothies are there in Scotland?

There are 83 public bothies in Scotland. 

Final Note

Staying in a converted bothy is definitely a unique accommodation option in Scotland. Much od the bothies in Scotland has went into ruin or have becomes demolished. 

Other have been preserved and you can stay in them while hiking in the Scottish Highlands. Most of the farm bothies in Central Scotland have been modernised and converted into accommodation. 

Some of the bothies are archectelly gems, other are eco-friendly while some keep the more traditional appearance. Either way, the bothies are comfortable, sleep between 2 and 4 people and are a great place to base yourself for exploring parts of Scotland.