Dibidil Bothy
I woke up early on Friday to tackle an out and back to Dibidil bothy (Dib-eye-dill) on the southwest side of the island. I went back and forth about if I should stay the night there, but ultimately I decided on a day trip because I wanted to be back in town in the evening to chat with folks.
My path to Dibidil Bothy
It was a misty, gray start to the day with very low visibility — wildly different from the hike to Guirdil two days before.
But, the great thing about Scotland is that the weather is always shifting. Soon, the mist started to break, and I started to get some of the stunning sea views this coastal path is known for.
Coastal Path to Dibidl
More of the coastal path
Sgurr nan Gillean–Ainshval Ridge looking pretty majestic rising up ahead
There were four places where this route crossed streams and where walkers should be prepared to ford across. But since I waited for a stretch without rain, I only had to remove my boots for the very last one. It was a very simple crossing, and after a five mile hike, quite refreshing!
And of course, seeing Dibidil Bothy come into view was magical.
While still rustic, this bothy was much more welcoming inside. There were several different sleeping platforms, a full table, books, and even a skylight. Such luxury! I really liked the antlers strewn about too. The island visible from the window is Eigg, one of the other small isles.
On the way back, I saw some golden eagles and more stunning vistas, including beautiful views of the Skye Cuillin over in the distance
Back in Kinloch, I had a refreshing shower and put my boots up to dry, then headed over to the general store for a drink and a chance to to chat with some locals. The few folks gathered there were hiding from the midges under a fan, but were lovely to talk with, explaining how they ended up on the island and commiserating with me about being a former civil servant.
I was very happy with my full day, but Rum had one more surprise for me before the sun set; I got to see this enormous stag just waltzing through town. He looked like he was strutting the runway, especially when he stopped to pose with Kinloch castle. A pretty wild end to an already excellent day.
