Walking the Cape Wrath Trail at a sensible time of year?
Midwinter won’t be everyone’s ideal choice of season for a 200 mile stroll from Fort William to Cape Wrath, I realise that. However, Scotland can be a strange place for weather to say the least. When I was in Knoydart in April, it was sunnier than Nice.
Summer in the highlands can bring beautiful weather, but it can also be as bad as winter at times. You also have the midges to contend with. Anyone who has dealt with a full-fanged cloud of Scottish midges in mid summer will truly appreciate what a blessing it will be not to be bothered with them in winter. Give me snow over midge any day.
My route (see previous posts) was therefore designed for winter, with the knowledge that not much will be open. As one of the purposes of this blog is to try to draw together information about the Cape Wrath Trail, listed below are some of the main stopping points and some of the accommodation on offer, should you choose to go in summer. Most of this will be closed in winter, where places are open, this is stated.
These are just suggestions, by no means exhaustive and won’t match everybody’s route. They are intended as a starting point and in many cases based on positive personal experiences. Other accommodation options can also be found elsewhere not least our old friend Google or its new fangled rival Cuil.
Fort William
Caledonian Sleeper - a nice way to arrive from London
Torlinnhe Guest House - lovely B&B just outside Fort William
Camusnagaul ferry - from Fort William to the start of your journey in Ardgour. Unless like me you’re cheating and starting in…
Glenfinnan
The Prince’s House Hotel - lovely people and great food
Glenfinnan Sleeping Car - kip in a parked train at the station!
Corryhully Bothy - a “luxury” bothy with electricity and everything
A’Chuil Bothy - Glendessary between Glenfinnan and Knoydart
Sourlies Bothy - Edge of Knoydart en route to Barrisdale, contender for best bothy location
Barrisdale - bothy, campsite and cottage
Kinlochhourn Farm - self-catering accomodation
Shiel Bridge
Kintail Lodge - hotel and bunkhouse
Cluanie Inn - walker friendly
Shiel Bridge Campsite - basic
Suardalan Bothy - outside Shiel Bridge
Shiel Bridge has a petrol station with a well-stocked shop
Killian - Whitefalls retreat bunkhouse just outside Killian
Strathcarron
Strathcarron Hotel - open all year round
Lochcarron Hotel - just outside Stathcarron
Achnashellach - Gerry’s hostel
Easan Dorcha Bothy - very small
Kinlochewe
Taggan campsite - free
Kinlochewe Hotel - has bunkhouse
Kinlochewe has a village shop for re-supply
Dundonnell
Shenavall Bothy - near Dundonnell
Badrallach B&B and campsite
Dundonnell Hotel
Ullapool
Royal Hotel
Westlea Guest House
…and many more. Ullapool will feel like Las Vegas after your journey so far
Knockdamph Bothy
Inchnadamph
Inchnadamph hotel
Glencoul Bothy
Kylesku
Kylesku Hotel
Newton Lodge Hotel
Kinlochbervie
Kinlochbervie Hotel - very helpful, open all year
Old School - Inshegra, nr Kinlochbervie
Kervaig Bothy - near Sandwood Bay en route to the cape
Cape Wrath
No accommodation here, if you’re staying I hope you packed a tent. Camping in the lee of the lighthouse may be a good plan to escape the Atlantic gales. It doesn’t get much more out there than this.
