Day 24 – To Badachro

Wednesday 19th May

Until 1996 there was a Youth Hostel on the wild Diabaig coast. It is now run by the Mountain Bothies Association. Though it’s door is open, it is currently forbidden to stay there due to the virus. It’s situation is impressive, and I set off to walk the few miles to it mid-morning.

I’ve always had something of a phobia about unstaffed huts and bothies with multiple users since a health scare at one I used when supervising a group on the Hollyford Tack. It was 2001, and I was a solo leader of 16-18 year olds, the school’s international students on a binding trip. Fortunately we had our own tents, but it was all I could do to get the students not to use the hut. There had been a warning around the National Park that a virus was spreading.

Some huts, like this one, are in fabulous settings, so my preference is to just camp outside, and still be sociable..

Tremendous weather also, and a memorable walk in and out.

Just on a few miles in the van today to Badachro, just off the NC500 route, not far south of Gairloch. It’s car park overlooks the sheltered bay and is next to its Inn, which was very appealing. The fine weather lingered, in fact it wasn’t dark until after 10.30 pm. Though the Inn only had one cask beer, Cairngorm Brewery Trade Winds, a pale ale, it was really good. Several other well-behaved dogs led to a relaxed atmosphere on the terrace, and a very sociable evening.