A remote and romantic Highland loch shore in the north west of Scotland
The Croft
We acquired the tenancy of our abandoned Highland loch shore croft in Wester Ross whilst resident in Shetland in 1991. A combination of 2 former crofts comprising 11.43 ha of in bye and 2 shares in over 900 ha common grazing stretching from Little Loch Broom to the summit of Beinn Ghobhlach (The forked mountain 635m). In 2010 we built a new contemporary eco home on the croft. There is plenty of room to be alone and you are welcome on it all.
Perched on the Scoraig peninsula by the shores of a sea loch, Badrallach is one of Scotland's remotest and most picturesque campsites. There is a small open field here and a handful of pitches artfully hidden away in the gorse where you can keep an eye out for red squirrels, pine martins, red deer and eagles. Mountain bikes, blokarts (beach karts with sails),kayaks and a Shetland sail boat are all for hire on site and there is a wonderful gas-lit bothy to hide in should the weather turn. Not that it ever does in Scotland.
Space for all occasions
Cottage
Peat stoves, gas lighting , crisp white linen sheets and white roses in season have ensured a special status for this cottage.
Outside the small 1½ storey traditional croft cottage has changed little over the last 150 years but the interior has been designed to combine the best of traditional values- the use of all natural materials birch floors and walls, mahogany stairs, aluminium worktops, a cozy traditional room layout with period furnishings, mahogany sash windows, gas lighting ,peat stove, solid fuel range cooking and feather duvets and pillows.
The modern essentials have also been added- central heating and hot water, gas hob ,an indoor toilet and bathroom with bath and shower, comfortable adjustable beds, and extensive use of light reflecting and translucent materials and roof lights. The aluminium barrel vault running the length of the cottage and perforated floating floors often surprise our guests at first but are necessary to maximise light and for the use of gas. The cleanliness, spacious air and warm, cozy feel have resulted in many of our guests young and old alike returning year after year.
The cottage sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, one with double bed if requested. There are now even 2 power points and 2 electric lights installed but these are again optional! Some fittings maybe unsuitable for the very young and old-please ask. Car parking is off road by the cottage.
All good quality white cotton bed linen is provided gratis (but not guaranteed crease free) Guests are requested to provide their own towels and tea towels but these can be provided on request.
Peat and one bag of coal is also provided gratis and additional coal charged at cost. Firelighters and kindling are provided but should be replaced prior to departure. Gas and electric are all included.
With over 13 hectares on the shores of Little Loch Broom and three crofts we have the space to offer peaceful accommodation for every occasion and many of our guests have used them all and return year after year. Each has its own character, all offer peat stoves and gas lighting and fresh flowers in season with crisp white linen sheets in the more luxurious rooms, but all achieve the highest standards possible.
The Bothy
Established in 1993 with substantial financial support from Scottish Natural Heritage to offer basic accommodation to 9-12 individuals, groups, families and all visitors at a price much below the now expensive established hostel networks. Gaelic for simple cottage or refuge our "Bothy", a simply converted stone barn, continues the tradition of the marvellous free Highland Mountain Bothies Association and Shetland Bods which I helped build but for a very small charge adds the luxury of hot water, 2 showers, male, female and disabled flush toilets, a peat stove for warmth and drying gear, gas lighting and a kitchen with fridge, work tops and sink.
It is spotless, warm and welcoming and made with high quality natural materials but nothing else is provided.
Guests need:
· torches
· sleeping mats and bags
· cooking stoves
· cooking and eating utensils
· food etc
But don't worry if you cannot carry this lot we will lend you the rest for a small charge. Nobody is turned away but do call before arrival especially at weekends in case we are full.
Guests are requested to leave all facilities as clean as they find them, cleaning materials can be found in the kitchen. Sole use is possible subject to payment of a premium but peat is free as long as you collect kindling and leave some for our next guests, coal and fire lighters are available at cost. Larger groups can be accommodated by using the camp site when the bothy can be used as a mess room, and for group leaders wanting more luxury the adjacent 4 bed cottage is available. Initially run with gas lights and natural light we now have some electricity, optional of course!
The Caravan
Cottage & Bothy full? The wife not keen on camping? Cold winter? Don't want to tow? Why not try our small pop top caravan. It sleeps 2 adults in comfort and 2 kids at a squeeze on permanent bunks (max 40 kg) with dinette/double bed, 3 burner hob, sink, electric heating, light, power and hot water, sink, fridge, wardrobe, outside table, small washroom/wc all fully fitted out with IKEA linen and kitchen utensils.
Our brand new Eriba Touring Triton 430GT (4.16x 1.90m int) designed by an aeronautical engineer has been built almost unaltered since 1960 to the same design "It is again and again admired for the size of its interior layouts unexpectedly larger than the deceptively compact exterior would suggest, having all the necessities for comfortable living, contained in a compact and functional unit". Use all the same facilities as our campers but stay here warm, dry and midge free!
Camping
A small friendly and very quiet lochshore site for a maximum of 12 tents only but usually fewer (and 3 caravans with prior booking essential). All facilities are spotless and of very high quality using local materials and are shared with the bothy which is used as a social / eating area and games room when not booked on a sole use basis, allowing a welcome retreat from the sun or rain. Parking is next to your pitch which is surrounded by meadow, orchids and often visited by deer.
Please note although we now have electricity in the buildings and plenty of hot water we have no hard standings or a septic tank emptying point - as we believe this would spoil the atmosphere on the site, but we now have hook-ups if required. We may be able to help if required however in quiet times if you ask. Advance booking recommended in July and August.
Though rarely a bad problem here due to coastal breeze in 2004 we placed a Midgebuster on the site with effect, for the benefit of our guests.
Lots to see and do
Wet or dry, windy or calm. Hot or cold, snow or heat wave, young, old or ancient few places in the Highlands offer so much to do. We try to provide whatever you need to enjoy your stay and if we don't have it we will endeavour to provide it for your next visit if we can.
Walking & Climbing
· Flora & Fauna
· The Landscape
· On the Water
· On the Land
· Day Trips
Directions
By Road
Take the A9 north from Inverness onto the A835 to Ullapool. Approx. 10 miles from Ullapool at Braemore Junction turn left onto the A832 for 10 miles (a circular road linking Dundonnell, Gairloch and back to Garve) then turn right onto the single track Badrallach road for 7 miles - journey time one hour from Inverness.
Road Map
By Bus & Ferry
The Westerbus (01445 712255) Gairloch-Inverness-Gairloch passes the road end (7 miles) on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Foot ferries run Scoraig-Badluarach on request. Collection can be made by ourselves from Inverness or Braemore Junction (15miles) which is served several times daily by Rapsons and City Link to and from the Ullapool-Stornaway Ferry.
Rapsons
City-Link
CalMac
Over the sea to Skye
By Rail
Garve is our nearest station on the beautiful Inverness- Kyle line about 30 miles away. Collection can be arranged.
GNER
First ScotRail
The Trainline
Virgin Trains
By Air
Easyjet, BA and BMI fly into Inverness's brand new hi-tec airport from the Isles, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Luton, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Southampton, Dusseldorf and Jersey. Collection can be arranged.
Scottish Airports Ltd
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
Flybe
British Airways
EasyJet
Aer Arann
Lufthansa
Car & Coach Hire
Inverness and Ullapool offer a range of vehicles for self drive/chaffeur.
Arnold Clark
Thrifty
Avis
Budget
Taxi
Ewen's of Ullapool
OS Map
Ordnance Survey Explorer 435 An Teallach & Slioch 1:25000
Multimap - 1:200,000
