Strathchailleach

A remote bothy in Strath Chailleach in the North West Highlands, Strathchailleach is located on the left bank of Amhainn Srath Chailleach, 1¼ miles (2 km) east of Sandwood Bay. Now used by walkers, this was built c.1840 as a home for shepherds on the Keoldale Estate. However, it is most notable as being the home for thirty-two years of James (Sandy) McRory Smith (1925-99), known as the Highland Hermit. Initially he occupied the house alone, but later he brokered a deal with the Mountain Bothies Association such that he retained one room and allowed walkers to occupy the other in return for a refurbishment which took place in 1981. Soon after he died in 1999, another refurbishment of Strathchailleach was undertaken, preserving the wall paintings which McRory Smith had created within the cottage.


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