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All the United Kingdom Scotland The Teahouse Bothy
AO Edited

The Teahouse Bothy

This tiny getaway tucked away in an uninhabited Scottish valley isn't your ordinary teahouse.

Achnashellach, Scotland

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peterferretter
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The Teahouse up close.   peterferretter / Atlas Obscura User
The Teahouse up close.   peterferretter / Atlas Obscura User
The Teahouse from afar.   peterferretter / Atlas Obscura User
The cozy interior.   peterferretter / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the sketch-journal: An artists rendition of the nearby waterfall accompanied by Yeats.   peterferretter / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This one-room hideaway sits in a wide valley, free for any passerby to use. Whether visitors are having a quick bite to eat or staying the night under its green roof this tiny, yet cozy retreat is sure to offer any traveler a memorable experience. 

The Teahouse is one of about a hundred bothies kept and maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA), a charity dedicated to the preservation of wild shelters around Scotland. This bothy was once a resting spot for hunting parties, but since the MBA acquired it in 1990, it’s been used recreationally by hikers and bikers across the world. 

On its sole piece of furniture, a wooden table set, lie around 10 worn journals full of traveler’s adventures and stays at this remote bothy. One whimsical journal is even loosely devoted to sketching, painting, and poetry. Many people use the nearby waterfall and Easan Geal river as their artistic subjects. Others like to capture the solace and wonder of the Teahouse by sketching out the views its twin windows offer. 

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Places To Stay Hiking Teahouse

Know Before You Go

Before staying at any bothy, one should be familiar with the bothy code of conduct, available to view on the MBA’s website. Essentially, if you keep the bothy as tidy as when you entered it, you won't be fined. Do note, if planning to stay overnight, you should bring your own food, fuel, and sleeping bag/mat. Additionally, bringing some tea makes for the best experience.

The Teahouse bothy can be found right off the Easan Geal river, and a gravel road at the head of the Achnashellach train station will take you there. Once the Easan Geal is crossed via an old stone bridge, turn left at the fork and you’ll soon reach your destination. In total, expect a four to five-hour hike and back.

There exists an alternate route for the more adventurous folk: a single-track footpath that winds around the western side of Carn Odhar, the bothy’s mountainous neighbor. Both routes can be combined to make one big hiking loop, and both routes can be found on the map on the MBA’s site.

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peterferretter

Published

September 28, 2021

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  • https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/lifestyle/back-into-the-mountain-lair-205452/
The Teahouse Bothy
Achnashellach, Scotland, IV54 8YU
United Kingdom
57.518075, -5.318076
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Nearby Places

Applecross Pass

Strathcarron, Scotland

miles away

Eilean Donan

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miles away

Caisteal Maol

Isle of Skye, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Applecross Pass

Strathcarron, Scotland

miles away

Eilean Donan

Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

miles away

Caisteal Maol

Isle of Skye, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

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