Essan

The stone walls hold the silence of the glen, and at night the only sound is wind moving through the heather and the occasional bleat of a hill sheep somewhere in the dark.

This is proper bothy country — a mountain refuge for walkers and wild campers who know how to look after themselves and leave no trace. You'll need to carry everything in, and there's no guarantee you'll have the place to yourself, but that's part of the code: share the space, respect the shelter, sign the book. It suits experienced hikers doing multi-day routes, folk seeking solitude without expecting comfort, and anyone who understands that a roof and four walls in the Scottish hills is luxury enough. Dogs are worth checking about before you set off.

It's open all year, which means midges in summer and snow drifts in winter — plan accordingly. No facilities to speak of, so you're self-sufficient from the trailhead. Campfires depend on conditions and local rules, so ask when you arrive or check the bothy book. The vibe is quiet, humbling, and utterly remote.