Back Track Bothies
Scottish eco-cabin
holiday rentals

Sustainable and eco-friendly tiny houses - with luxury touches - in the heart of Glenfinnan, western Highlands

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Our 3 planet-friendly Bothies

Each hand built Bothy sleeps up to 3 or 4, and each one has a different interior layout

Designed to be used year-round, our highly-insulated Bothies each have a sleeping area, living area, kitchen area and bathroom with good-sized showers, hand basin and composting loos.

There's an electric panel heater plus a wood-burning stove to keep you toasty.

Each Bothy has a corten steel fire pit/BBQ at its own 'sitooterie'. There is a shared, Swedish-style woodfired bath. We provide all the wood on site for you and the Hotties heat logs for the bath.

Clanranald Bothy sleeps 3, whilst Keppoch and Glenaladale sleep 4. They are spaced out on our sloping site (no steps) which is on the edge of woodland in the heart of Glenfinnan.

We are just a few minutes' walk from all of Glenfinnan's attractions but also with its wild, wide-open spaces right on our doorstep.

The Bothies are perfect for guests travelling by train or bus, and we have a parking space too for each one.

Green Tourism

We joined the Green Tourism scheme in 2023 and went through the assessment for an award. We were delighted to obtain a Bronze award and will be working towards Silver.

Find out more at:

https://www.green-tourism.com/pages/home

About Glenfinnan

A magical place that allows you to be as remote or as well-connected as you want to be

Glenfinnan is a wee hamlet of around 120 folk (it's not even big enough to be a village), and can be as relaxing or as full-on as you want it to be.

And this is the real magic of Glenfinnan (well, apart from the obvious mountains, loch, amazing Jacobite history, rivers, deer, wild salmon, eagles, ravens... ).

Find tranquillity immersing yourself in Jacobite history at the Glenfinnan Monument, poignantly situated right at the head of Loch Shiel. The Monument is a place of pilgrimage, marking Bonnie Prince Charlie's raising of the Standard at Glenfinnan which signalled the start of the Jacobite Rising on 19th August 1745.

Or head over to join the crowds (plenty of social distancing on the hillside) to watch the Hogwart's Express (The Jacobite steam train) cross the Harry Potter bridge (the Glenfinnan Viaduct) at one of the viewpoints, then grab a picnic and your bike and head for the hills.

In August, the Glenfinnan Gathering is held on the closest Saturday to 19th August. Watch traditional Highland games and Highland dancing (left, pic by Iain Ferguson alba.photos).

Find out more about the construction of the graceful Victorian Glenfinnan Viaduct in the wonderful wee Glenfinnan Station Museum. You can take the hillside Viaduct Trail (download the Viaduct Trail app to your phone) from the lovely Victorian railway station for spectacular views out over Loch Shiel and the surrounding landscape.

Back from the wild, you can enjoy all the facilities and benefits of a place popular with tourists, but disappear off on your own adventures and hardly see a soul.

There are buses and trains out to the coast or inland to Fort William, with public transport links and ferries to further afield. Skye and the small Isles - Canna, Muck, Eigg and Rum - are all accessible. We are on the famous 'Road to the Isles', after all.

There are some beautiful mountain hikes around Glenfinnan, including Munros for the more adventurous. Mountain bikers, kayakers, paddleboarders and canoeists will find adventure on their doorstep. Wild swimmers are spoiled for choice with the loch and local rivers.

We are just down the road from Arisaig and Morar, with their white sandy beaches and clear blue water, so you can visit responsibly, enjoy your beach days, and leave only footprints behind.

And when you're done adventuring, we have two superb hotels on our doorstep serving welcome drinks and delicious food. Local venison is a must-have for meat-eaters. Both hotels are just a few minutes' walk from the Bothies.

The Dining Car (in a real 1950s carriage) up at Glenfinnan Station serves amazing breakfasts, delicious lunches, yummy home-made cake, great coffee, teas and local ales.

Directions

By train: Alight at Glenfinnan Station, walk down the hill to meet the main A830 road. Cross the road and go down the track (this is the Back Track) past the houses, and we are about 150m on the left, after the wee footbridge.

By bus: Ask for the stop near Glenfinnan Station. Go down the track (this is the Back Track) past the houses, and we are about 150m on the left, after the wee footbridge.

From the north or south, on the A82: At the roundabout by the BP filling station in Fort William, take the A830 to Glenfinnan. Once you enter Glenfinnan, you will pass the NTS Glenfinnan Monument visitor centre and the Community car park (on your right). Turn left on to a single-track road, just before the A830 goes up the hill. Follow the single-track road past the Glenfinnan House Hotel. The single-track then swings sharp left - there is a track going uphill in front of you. Go straight up the track (this is the Back Track). We are about half-way up the Back Track, on the right.

From the west (Skye, Mallaig, Morar, Arisaig): On the A830, enter Glenfinnan and drive down the hill. At the bottom of the hill turn right on to a single-track road. Follow the single-track road past the Glenfinnan House Hotel and where it swings sharp left, carry straight on up the track (this is the Back Track). We are about half-way up the Back Track, on the right.

(Pic: The real Hogwarts Express on the Glenfinnan Viaduct, by Iain Ferguson alba.photos)

What our guests say about us...

'...the outdoor space was incredible...'

We had a really special time staying in Ally and Mark’s Bothy! The interiors have been lovingly crafted with a great eye for practicality, style and sustainability. It really is an amazing and calming space, it felt so tranquil and private - despite only being a stones throw away from each of Glenfinnan's hotels, as well as the railway station.

We loved all of the little touches that Ally and Mark had at their disposal; be it the local beers or fresh eggs their hens had laid! As hosts, they offered the perfect experience to suit our group - they were there to greet us and offer friendly and informative advice based on our trip needs, but otherwise the whole place was our own. There was everything we needed.

The outdoor space was incredible. We made immediate use of the Swedish wood-fired bath. This was just one of the on-site features that helped set our stay at the Bothy apart from similar trips we’ve taken.

Waking up to gorgeous views, and wandering straight down to Loch Shiel was perfect. It was really nice to escape from the city and we would highly recommended it to anyone looking to reset in a beautiful space in Glenfinnan.

Thanks again Ally and Mark, we’ll certainly be back in the future!

Rhia

'Perfekt organisiert mit eigener App...'

Super schön eingerichtete Tiny Houses. Liebevolle Gastgeber. Perfekt organisiert mit eigener App, anhand derer man sich schon vorher über die Unterkunft und die Sehenswürdigkeiten der Umgebung informieren kann. Wir waren zu viert (zwei Erwachsene, zwei größere Kinder), da war es schon kuschelig, aber trotzdem super gemütlich. Diese Unterkunft buchen wir definitiv wieder, wenn wir in der Nähe sind!

Anja, Henrik, Helen and Liz

'...I really struggled to leave the comfort of the luxurious bed...'

Hi Ally, we left early morning to get the train to Mallaig. Just want to say a huge thank you once again for an amazing stay in one of your spectacular Bothies. The outdoor bath and the attention to detail inside made our stay even more fabulous, not to mention the amazing eco-friendly products. I must say I really struggled to leave the comfort of the luxurious bed. Dave had to practically drag me out . So lovely to meet you and wishing you lots of success. We shall definitely be recommending your accommodation and hospitality. Take care and hope to see you soon. The best part of our honeymoon by far. Take care. All our love

Emma & Dave

'It is a place where you can really relax and detox'

I loved this accommodation! The pod has everything you need and really comfortable beds. It is a place where you can really relax and detox. The host was amazing. Ally is everything you can wish a host to be and more! I would definitely recommend and stay here again in the future

Denise

'...stunning sceneries around and nearby'

Absolutely loved our eco-friendly stay! Cosy, clean and well-equipped eco-friendly lodge for a shorter or longer stay. Had everything we needed for our weekend trip. Easily accessible location (by car or by public transport) with stunning sceneries around and nearby. Highly recommend!

Kart & Mikko

'Wir liebten es abends den Kamin anzuschüren'

Wir hatten eine großartige Zeit bei Ally! Die Unterkunft ist ruhig, sauber, absolut durchdacht und praktisch. Wir liebten es abends den Kamin anzuschüren. Tolle Lage für Ausflüge und die Steamtrain. Nur zu empfehlen!

Dagmar & family

'...Thanks for warming hospitality...'

Thanks for your warming hospitality and the whole idea of eco-friendly, wood crafted Bothies. It did help visitors to start thinking save the environment in their daily lives… even though it is challenging. We will drop by next time and stay in your lovely Bothies for longer to enjoy

Sean, Joe, Sunday and Amy

'We enjoyed the wood-heated outdoor soaker tub'

Rustic Luxury. A beautiful new cabin, finished with attention to every detail. Beds were very comfy, the living area cozy, heated with both electric & wood optional. The composting loo was a new experience, surprisingly easy to use, clean & odor free. We enjoyed the wood-heated outdoor soaker tub. Restaurants just a short walk uphill, or downhill. Lovely walking & hiking. Ally was a friendly & attentive host. All in all, a wonderful retreat. Will definitely return

Mc & Matt

'Everything was so incredibly well thought out and considered...'

Absolutely loved staying at the bothy! Everything was so incredibly well thought out and considered, making for a nice and relaxing time while touring the area. Ally was an incredibly accommodating, gracious and friendly host and provided us with useful tips for our future travels. She went out of her way to ensure we had a great experience (even in the rain) and we’d definitely come back again!

Ronnie & Joseph

'Host couldn't be more helpful and clear instructions provided for everything'

Beautiful location close to the station and loch shore. Original and thoughtfully designed Bothy using reclaimed materials and items for a quirky but honestly eco-led place to stay.

Host couldn't be more helpful and clear instructions provided for everything. Certainly recommend and would like to come back. Thanks for a great stay.

Jill & Kiff

'...Thanks for a wonderful stay...'

Thanks, Ally, for a wonderful stay! The cabin was perfect for what we needed and all very well-equipped. We loved having the BBQ (despite the midges!) but sad we didn’t get a chance to try out the outdoor bath - next time!

Natalie & Dan

'... very best wishes for the future of your ecologically important bothy business!'

A truly wonderful experience, staying in very creatively and thoughtfully appointed bothies, with a very real message about living sustainably. The beds are very comfy, the shower ample, the kitchen has everything you could need, and sitting inside with the wood burner going was a real treat.

The sights and sounds of the railway are really close - yes, you can hear the steam train! - and so it’s an ideal place to stay to see The Jacobite train going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The museum and monument and other things to explore are all very close.

Ally was the perfect host, helpful and with plenty of ideas of what we could do from walks to eating out and transport. And delightful little touches in the bothy. Thanks Ally!

Do yourselves a favour while staying here: make time to use the outdoor, fire heated bath! It was the perfect way to spend an evening, it’s big enough for two, and a stag walked by while we were in there. Just magical!

Craig & Kathy

'Loved it, and will definitely be back to stay again'

Just wonderful! Had everything you need, very clean, peaceful and relaxing.

Ally and Mark have definitely done a great job in making each lodge special, personal and welcoming for their guests. The beds were super comfy and cosy.

Comfy handmade wooden chairs outside by firepit - great for sitting out in the evening. The outside was bath was lovely and relaxing. Loved it, and will definitely be back to stay again

Belle, Gabriel & Stewart

Back Track BothiesScottish eco-cabin holiday rentals