Now there’s no excuse for not finding the hut and heading for that B&B instead!
Inspired by a heady brew, he had stoked the stove to an unprecedented red-hotness, forgetting that his blankets were in the oven. MacAlpine debated whether to confess their incineration to the hut custodian or to claim more plausibly that (J.H.B.) Bell had eaten them for breakfast.
Bill Murray, recounting trouble in the CIC Hut even in 1938.
Balgowan Cabin – Laggan
Balgowan (7 miles SW of Newtonmore) is on a single track loop road just North of the main A86 (Newtonmore/Spean Bridge road) at Cluny Castle. Take the single track road (signposted Balgowan at the west gate of Cluny Castle) up to the car park on the right, about 300 yards. Space for 6 (carefully parked) cars. Follow the access path on the West of the car park up & around the hillside to reach the hut.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 35, Kingussie / NN 639944
Black Rock Cottage – Glencoe
Off A82 on the White Corries chairlift road. 1½ miles SE of the Kingshouse Hotel.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 41, Ben Nevis / GR 267530
Bowderstone Cottage – Borrowdale, Englandshire
Bowderstone Cottage is the larger of the two cottages situated at the Bowder Stone, half a mile along a track from the National Trust’s Bowderstone Car Park. From Keswick follow the signs to Borrowdale down the B5289. The Car Park is approximately 6 miles south of Keswick on the left hand side, half a mile after the right turn to Grange. Park in the Car Park, as you cannot take your vehicle along the track to the cottage.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 89 West Cumbria / NY 255164
Carn Dearg Hut – Glen Clova
Situated 50 yards from the car park, through gate at cattle grid at end of road, through wood. Wilton carpet or is it shag-pile covered sleeping platforms.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 44 Ballater / GR 286758
CIC Hut – Ben Nevis
Yes, you can get in!! In a brilliant location and steeped in Scottish mountain history you can spit to the start of Ben classics from the door.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 41 Ben Nevis / GR 168722
Coruisk Hut – Isle of Skye
Surely the hut with the remotest location in Scotland, in a truly magnificent setting. Either dare to cross The Bad Step, on the walk in via Camusunary, or more sensibly take a boat (The Misty Isle) from Elgol.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 32, South Skye / GR487196
Clashgour – Blackmount
Intimate with a walk-in from Victoria Bridge. Bring coal and karrimats.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 50, Glen Orchy / GR 256424
Glen Brittle Hut – Skye
On the road from Carbost, about 300 yards short of Glenbrittle House. Not too tricky to find, it has a big sign on the side saying “Glen Brittle Memorial Hut”.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 32, South Skye / GR 412216
Glen Lichd House – Glen Affric
A 7km walk or bike along the landrover track from Morvich takes you to Glen Lichd House. Between The Five Sisters & Ben Fhada or Ben Attow. You can literally bag 2 mountains for the price of one.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 33, Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel / GR 005173
Glen Rosa Campsite – Arran
Get the bus from the ferry, then a 1km walk up the road to the campsite. It has toilets & cold water but not much else. Other than being in a great location.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 69, Isle of Arran / GR 002376
Inbhirhaolain – Glen Etive
7 miles from the A82 – Etive road junction.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 41, Ben Nevis / GR 158508
Invercroft – Achnasheen
Does the ghost of the wood-cutter exist ? Park in the lay-by at GR 147561. Walk onto the jetty across Loch Gowan and peer over the end. Somewhere down there is a Moses style boardwalk across the water. At far side of loch follow the small posts with bike reflectors to reach the hut. Bring a karrimat and don’t do a Liz.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 25, Glen Carron / GR 150559
Lagangarbh – Glencoe
Five star accommodation with slippers at the door. Lying beneath Buachaille Etive Mor this is a fine venue for any time of year. Always popular.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 41, Ben Nevis / GR 221559
Ling Hut – Torridon
Nestling beneath Liathach the skies are the limits. Access by the path skirting E by the side of Lochan an Iasgair.
Map / Grid Reference: Map 25, Glen Carron / GR 957564
Macintyre Hut – Onich
Just turn off the A82 just past the Creag Mhor Hotel 1 mile past the Ballachulish Bridge. Opposite the sign for the Tom Na Creige B&B, parking is round the back. Most sleeping is in the upstairs dormitories although if you really want to experience desiccation you could always try the drying room (not recommended).
Map/Grid Reference: Map 41, Ben Nevis / GR 044612
Manse Barn – Onich
A cute hut that is ideally situated for Glencoe, Glen Nevis, the Mamores and Ben Nevis. Staggering to the pub for a refreshing pint is a definite possibility if you can manage the 30 yards across the car-park. Situated on the main A82 between Glen Coe and Fort William in Onich. Right next door to the Onich Hotel.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 41, Ben Nevis / GR 033613
Milehouse – Kincraig
1 mile from Kincraig on the road to Insh.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 25, Kingussie / GR 839043
Mill Cottage – Feshiebridge
Turn off A9 to Kincraig and take road to Feshiebridge and Glen Feshie. ¼ mile before Feshiebridge turn L at sign marking entrance to Forestry Commission car park and picnic site (N side of road). Continue along track, pass FC car park, cottage 300 yards further on R.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 35, Kingussie / GR 844047
Muir Of Inverey – Braemar
Between Inverey and Linn Of Dee, 5 miles W of Braemar on N side of road. By a wood, a cottage and a wooden extension. 20p coins for the heaters.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 43, Braemar / GR076896
Naismith Hut – Sutherland
Adjacent to the A835 on a loop road below Cnoc Breac (280m) on S side of main road. The hut is a traditional cottage next to a modern house so make sure you get the right place although the modern house might do a better breakfast.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 51, Loch Assynt / GR 216118
Raeburn Hut – Laggan
The hut is located on the north side of the A889 between Dalwhinnie and Laggan.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 35, Kingussie & Monadhliath Mountains / GR 636909
Smiddy – Dundonnell
With the original bellows still in operation all that ‘club hot air’ is guaranteed to circulate. A great venue with bags of character. Obvious for great days on An Teallach. Situated on the S side of the A832, 100 yards E of public telephone. Bring a karrimat.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 19, Gairloch and Ullapool / GR 095877
Steall Hut – Glen Nevis
Situated across the wire-rope bridge at the head of the Nevis Gorge. Bring a karrimat for a comfortable night.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 41, Ben Nevis / GR 178684
Strawberry Cottage – Glen Affric
With limited vehicular access having a mountain-bike is a good idea. Kick the weekend off with a night-ride to the hut.
Map/Grid Reference: Map 25, Glen Carron / GR 132207
Sailing Meet – West Coast
Also known as the Quickening or the Second Coming Meet. This year there is a prize for the most impressive amount of fish-food generated.
Map/Grid Reference: See Dave Simpson for details