DAY 1: A Scenic Escape: Walking to Cadderlie Bothy and Embracing Loch Etive's Tranquility

Nestled amidst the beautiful scenery of Argyll in the Scottish Highlands lies a hidden gem awaiting adventurous and weary souls - Cadderlie Bothy.

This cosy, quaint, remote shelter which is owned and maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association, is tucked away on the shores of Loch Etive, offering a glimpse into the untamed wilderness of Scotland. My dad (Camping on the Wildside) and I decided this was going to be our first stop of our three day highland adventure.

We drove from Edinburgh to Tyndrum and stopped at The Real Food Cafe for a much needed coffee and a bite to eat, the weather was typical Scottish weather really, it was just rainy and miserable, thankfully the cafe had a roaring fire to warm us up. We headed on and made our way up to Bonawe where we parked the car and gathered all our gear and got our boots, gaiters and rucksacks on.

It was blowing a hoolie at this point!

Our adventure officially began with a blustery hike passed Bonawe Quarry and along the easy, gravel trail that winds its way through beautiful scenery that hugged the edge of Loch Etive. As we walked further, the winds calmed and the sun appeared, it became hot liked a summers day, the majestic silhouette of a snow capped Ben Cruachan loomed in the distance, casting its shadow over the landscape. Along the way, we admired the tranquil waters of Loch Etive shimmering beneath the sun's golden rays.

After what turned out to be a beautiful hot walk, we arrived at Cadderlie Bothy where we were greeted by the rustic charm of the bothy's weathered stone walls and surrounding abandoned buildings , a testament to its rich history. Stepping inside, we were welcomed by the scent of crackling firewood and the scent of earthy peat.

Cadderlie Bothy is a very well-kept bothy, it has two big rooms both with sleeping areas and fireplaces and a third room as an extra sleeping area. This bothy does not have any running water or electricity, but thankfully there is a small stream nearby for fresh water and plenty of wood lying around for some 'Bothy TV'.

The evening came in quickly and the temperature began to drop, we were warmed by plenty cups of tea and some dinner.

Outside, the millions of visible stars danced and twinkled, casting a soft glow over the surrounding landscape. This was my opportunity to snap some night photos.

With nothing but the sound of the crackling fire, we drifted off to sleep, lulled by the peace and quiet of the Scottish Highlands.

In the morning, we bid farewell to a cleaned and tidied Cadderlie Bothy, reluctantly leaving behind the tranquility of Loch Etive as we make our way back along towards our starting point.

We had a great stay at Cadderlie Bothy and this little shelter is just one of many testimonies of the beauty of Scotland's wild places.

"Scotland’s wild beauty calls tae those seekin’ adventure, but it rewards the weel-prepared. Step oot, respect the land, and always return wi’ a tale tae tell."

If you would like to watch a video of our stay at Cadderlie Bothy, you can check out Camping on the Wildside below:

Camping on the Wildside Youtube Video