Clashgour Hut

History

Clashgour hut was originally built c.1900 but had to be rebuilt in 1919 following a fire. Its construction is of the Meccano type kit, typical of temporary structures of the period. Until 1933 it was used as a four pupil primary school, but this ended with the opening of the new road to Glencoe. For several years it remained unused and it deteriorated until the GUM club took it over in 1948 when the Blackmount state agreed to lease it. This arrangement still continues today. The hut has changed since the GUM club took it over, with the main change being the building of the upper level. But, some relics of the pre-war era still remain, including the school bell (above the door) and the ‘horny golloch’ on the inside wall. Legend has it that the hut once held 35 people after two groups of walkers were forced to return there from a wild day on the Blackmount Hills.

Credit: Jonnie Williams

Booking

Our hut is available for outside hire when it is not in use.

If you are interested in booking please read the information below and then get in touch with the hut custodian at [email protected]

Staying at the hut

The hut can sleep up to about 12 people depending on your definition of comfort. The upper floor space is approximately 3 metres square. There is also space for about 2 tents outside the hut. The hut must be booked in advance through the hut custodian. The fees for non-members of the club are £4.00 per person, per night, capped at a total of £20 per night. Keys are kept in a coded box at the hut and the code will be sent to you prior to your stay. Please return the keys to the box and lock it after use. Payment should be made by cheque or online transfer after your stay at the hut (contact the custodian for the bank details). Cheques should be made payable to ‘GUMC Clashgour Account’ and sent to Hut Custodian, Glasgow University Mountaineering Club, Stevenson Building, 77 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8LT. Due to the small size of the hut, all bookings are exclusive.

Rules of the hut

Read the hut manual here.

1. No Cars. No vehicles may be taken along the track to the hut without prior permission from the estate; they must be left at the Victoria Bridge car park regardless of the weather etc.
2. Respect the surroundings. Do not ever cut any live wood from around the hut. Always bury the ash from the stove rather than leaving it on the surface. Fishing is strictly forbidden without prior permission from the estate.
3. Disconnect the gas. When the gas is not in use could you please disconnect the cylinders to prevent the gas leaking. This is particularly important when you leave.
4. Dogs. If you bring a dog, please also bring your own blankets and avoid getting dog hair on the existing blankets / furniture. Other subsequent users may have allergies!
5. Security. Despite the remote location of the hut it still suffers occasionally from vandalism. It is important that when you leave the hut you replace the window shutters and bolt them securely. Also check that the padlocks are replaced.
6. Tidy the hut and surroundings after use. Please sweep both floors, clean all surfaces and clear ashes from the stove before you leave. Always take all rubbish away with you.
7. Mice. Do not leave any open food in the hut as this attracts mice that are able to eat through most packaging. Store any closed food packets in mouse-proof containers.
8. Hut Journals. Please do not remove the hut visitor books or GUMC journals from the hut.
9. Report any problems to the hut custodian. If the gas cylinders are running low, or you find anything else broken or not working, please report this to the custodian as soon as possible.

Location

Clashgour is situated beneath Stob Ghabhar at the southern end of the Blackmount Estate. The Glen Kinglass and Bridge of Orchy hills are accessible by foot and it is near to the West Highland Way . Glencoe is only 30 minutes away by car from Victoria Bridge. The corries of Stob Ghabhar and Beinn an Dothaidh can offer Winter climbing of all standards.There are some superb swimming pools upstream of the hut , and it is also handy for several rough cycling routes. The nearest pint may be had at the Inveroran Hotel (may sometimes be closed in winter), some 40 minutes walk from the hut. Bridge of Orchy is served by both bus and train routes, and the nearest shops are at Tyndrum, 6 miles south of Bridge of Orchy.

How to get there

Clashgour hut is located at OS grid reference NN257425 (Landranger sheet 50, Glen Orchy). It is about 6km from Bridge of Orchy and 1.5km west of nearest Road at Victoria Bridge . From the A82 at Bridge of Orchy take the A8005 to Victoria Bridge . At the end of the road is a small car park where cars should be left. No vehicles are permitted to be taken to the hut, they must be parked at the designated car park a few hundred yards south of Victoria Bridge. From the car park cross the bridge and walk along the track to Forrest Lodge. Take the track to the left and follow this for about 20 minutes to reach the hut which is at the foot of a track leading up to Stob Ghabhar. The hut is small and green with a white trim.

Facilities

The hut is equipped with basic facilities. Cooking and lighting is fuelled by Calor gas (stocks of which are maintained by the hut custodian). There is a small oven and some hobs for cooking. The hut also has some crockery, pots and pans. There is no running water supply in the hut. There is a solid fuel burner in the hut for heating. Although there may be some bog wood found lying around the hut surroundings, it is advisable to take your own solid fuel as it cannot be guaranteed that there will be a supply in the hut. The stove can be quite smoky when first lit or if you have the lid off for more than a few seconds. Please ensure that fuel is small enough before putting it in the stove and do not over fill it with too much coal, as it will get too hot! The stove does heat the hut very well. No bedding is provided in the hut.

You can find the contact details of the current hut custodian on the Committee page.