Discover Pairc, almost an island in itself, through a wild camping experience “with benefits”. Contact us below:

Reach us by bus from Stornoway (W9/W10) and Tarbert (W10 then W9) via Balallan or by foot, cycle or kayak. This special experience places you in the heart of a crofting township but with a sense of remote wilderness and an eagle’s eye view over Loch Odhairn to the mountains of Torridon on the Scottish mainland. Allow us to welcome you into the community. Join us for a brew and/or a beer or two, or enjoy the solitude if you’d prefer.

This exclusive site — delivering the feel of wild camping with the downsides minimised — is only accessible to non-motorised visitors. The W9 bus service will drop you and your kit at the croft gate on request to the driver, or come under your own power on an easy scenic walk or ride from the Hebridean Way route. It is part of the attractions and accommodations that comprise the Pairc Trail. See “Getting Here” below for fuller transport information.

Croft 37

Our croft, “lotted” (established) in 1852, has a rich agricultural and maritime history. Previous occupants were fishers and merchant sailors. The small shed by the burn at the foot of the croft next to the loch was used to store provisions for servicing the Gob na Miolaid lighthouse (now replaced with an automated structure) by boat. The ruins that host the campsite were the first of three dwellings visible on the current croft, with the low blackhouse across the road from the present accommodation, which is in the familiar more modern Highland and Island style. They’re self-contained and invisible from the croft house (and vice versa).

Fresh, chemical-free produce growing on the croft

The site and its facilities

Follow the path across the croft marked with blue-tipped posts from the croft garden inner gate to the ruins.

We’ve designed the facilities to give a wild camping feel while minimising any negative impacts to practically zero. Indeed, by staying with us you’ll be contributing to our biodiversity improvement efforts and to the wider community economy. We’ve provided a composting toilet whose contents will ultimately help to fertilise the trees in our croft woodland. The toilet roof collects rainwater and we’ve supplied Dr. Bronner’s biodegradable detergent for cleaning your pots, body, hair, teeth and more. We supply fresh drinking water from the mains in a food grade container.

Under the sink, you’ll find an organic waste container. The bathroom area also has separate bins for mixed recyclables (green) and non-recyclables (red; please try to minimise this waste stream). We’ve fitted chains to the bathroom door openings as “occupied” indicators for those visiting in small groups. Recycled toilet paper and wood shavings are provided. Throw a handful of the latter in with solids. In order for the toilet to remain odourless, everyone sits down please.

Our washing machine is at your disposal and we can dry wet kit in the house. We can offer the loan of a variety of outdoor kit, kitchen items etc.

To the north of the site is an amazing loch viewpoint, great for a morning coffee or an evening beer. Look out for eagles, otters, seals, divers, ravens, buzzards, hen harriers and many other bird and insect species. We’ve even seen a pod of common dolphins below the croft.

Apportionment and beach

Part of the croft — an “apportionment” — lays one mile on foot from the house and is also accessible from the water. It has a beautiful secluded beach with the ruins of old stone beehive bothan dwellings from its former use as summer shielings. We’d be delighted to provide you with detailed directions – it’s a great spot for a private picnic.

Rate and opening times

The rate is £20 per night for exclusive use of the whole site. We reckon that up to six people can enjoy it comfortably. If there are more in your prospective party, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.

We’re open for bookings up to our Scottish pop-up annual allocation of 28 nights. It’s rather nice to visit in winter but obviously most stays are made during peak summer season. Do get in touch prior to arrival so that we can arrange to greet you as far as possible. If you use the contact form above we’ll give you our number for WhatsApp.

Adventure hub

I’m a Level 2 professionally qualified cycle mechanic and we have a fully equipped workshop — if your bike needs some work we’re here to help. We can charge your electricals and store belongings in the croft house, where there’s also Wi-Fi, although the camping area gets decent mobile internet reception.

We’ll give you all the information you need to enjoy the wild and historical wonders of Pairc — walks, rides, paddles, local history, wildlife etc.

Part of the local economy

We can link you with local tour guides for visits further afield. For coffee and cake, visit Ravenspoint café. It’s around 6.5 miles from the croft, or 11.5 miles if you do the longer scenic loop through Calbost and Marvig. If your visit includes a Wednesday there’s a community lunch (13:00), where you can meet local residents.

Getting here

The W9 bus timetable can be found at this link. Ask to be dropped at Tom (pronounced “towm”), or walk up from the church if you prefer. You’ll find the croft on foot or by bike by following the rising single-track road from the bridge at the head of Loch Odhairn along the south side of the loch. It’s the white house on the left-hand side around a mile from the junction. If you reach the dead end at Tom an Fhuadain you’ve gone too far. Enjoy the view toward Kebock Head then turn around and backtrack past the caravan to find the house on your right.

There’s an old slipway on Loch Odhairn for boat access.

As experienced travelling campers ourselves we understand that arrival and departure times can be fluid and unpredictable — we’re chilled about these things and don’t operate a reception. Let us know roughly when you plan to show up and we’ll try to be around to welcome you, but otherwise feel free to come and go as you please.

House rules

We politely request that you follow these guidelines:

• Observe the leave no trace and Scottish responsible use principles as usual. The site is designed to deliver all the attractions of wild camping while keeping impacts negligible
• Everybody sits on the toilet in order to maintain waste separation, please
• Please use the super-concentrated biodegradable detergent provided for your washing and cleaning needs. We can provide you with appropriate bike and kit cleaning materials on request
• No open fires please. They damage the ground and constitute a wildfire risk. Wood is also in short supply here. Please use stoves on the cooking platform provided
• The only parking facility we have is the one occupied by our own vehicle; access is by foot, bike, boat or bus
• We regret that we can’t accept pets; the croft hosts livestock and wildlife

Many thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

360 degree aerial image of campsite

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360 degree panorama from campsite viewpoint

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Two-minute video flyaround – wild camping without the hassle!