56°24’25”N, -5°24’23”E Inverlonan, West Highlands, Scotland

An eco-minded passion project that is positively impacting its ecologically sensitive setting, Inverlonan gives the traditional Scottish bothy a 21st-century update. Owner Lupi Moll’s vision encourages modern travellers to go off-grid in a truly wild setting, to embrace slow living and press pause, echoing the founding ethos of Off-Grid Hideaways: disconnect to reconnect.

The three separate architect-designed eco-cabins are secluded and cosy; each has a private deck, open fire pit and pizza oven. Interiors mirror their natural surroundings in tone and texture: furniture is hewn from ash grown in sight of Loch Awe, and textiles include beautiful Skyeskyns sheepskins and wool from Inverlonan’s native-breed herd.

Things may take a little longer, but every pleasure is worth making the effort for: grinding your coffee; chopping kindling; heating your water. The last kilometre of your journey must be made on foot, by boat or in a light buggy. Light your stove and load up the grill with provisions from Inverlonan’s larder, including local artisan produce and meat from native cattle reared on nearby pastures. Staff are always on hand to help.

Ramble back in time via winding forest tracks to the Strontoiller Stone Circle and menhir known as Diarmid’s Pillar – stones laid by Neolithic farming communities that later marked the ceremonial burial route of Scotland’s kings. Later, climb the ladder to your mezzanine bed, gaze skyward, and ponder the path that has led you here, now, to this special place.

How far to the nearest…

• Café/Restaurant 6km
• Resident neighbour 1km
• Beach/Sea 6km
• Shop 6km
• Town 6km
• Airport 60km (Oban International Airport)

Build Inverlonan’s ‘leave no trace’ ethos means even the timber bothies’ ring-beam, ground-screw foundations are completely removable at any time. Every aspect of the project’s footprint has been scrutinised to ensure it is as minimal as possible, including eco-friendly long-drop sawdust loos.

Energy What little power is needed is generated by solar panels that charge a 48kV battery. All lightbulbs are low-wattage LEDs. Copper-spouted hand-pumps deliver rainwater for washing hands and dishes; filtered and UV-treated drinking water is sourced from a borehole in summer, and a natural spring in winter.

Environment Inverlonan is farmed in line with regenerative and organic principles; the government’s Agri-Environment Climate Scheme also controls grazing patterns across the farm’s individual habitats to encourage biodiversity; this has seen the return of black grouse, among other species. Inverlonan’s land also spans a newly planted 100-hectare broadleaf woodland within the Golden Eagle Range, home to hen harriers and rare Marsh Fritillary butterflies; and borders the Black Lochs SSSI (site of special scientific interest), created to protect its wealth of dragonflies, mosses, moths and ancient oak forest.

Community Honouring Scotland’s Right to Roam, footpaths have been created through the Ballygowan woodland. Inverlonan has nurtured a network of like-minded suppliers and staff from the local community.

Digital detox No WiFi, no TVs; patchy 4G phone reception on some networks is a mixed blessing.

Creature comforts Kadai fire pit; Stadler pizza oven; wood-burner; coffee grinder; Trakke shower bag; biodegradable products by Highland Soap Company. Board games, Boombar speaker, binoculars.

Scotland’s seasons are united by big skies and remarkable light; spring’s burst of multi-hued green is followed by a summer of long long days and brief nights. Winter brings mists, frosts and a magical atmosphere of total peace – you’ll feel like the only souls watching the stars.

Engage

Hike the Black Lochs via Ballygowan woodland, seeking out white-tailed fish eagles and otters. Book the wood-fired sauna cabin and race back into it from the loch’s cold waters. Borrow a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and trace the Loch’s perimeter. You’re only six miles from the port of Oban, Gateway to the Isles: charter a boat to explore hidden beaches, spot seals and puffins, or even snorkel with basking sharks.

Savour

Order a bothy BBQ box, which will be packed with provisions from Inverlonan’s pantry, to cook on the volcanic stones in your fire pit. Book a Wild Dining experience, an eight-course tasting menu cooking over a fire in a secret setting, just for you: super-talented Tim Kensett - alumnus of River Café, Goldeneye and The Star at Alfriston, among others - uses seasonal, hyper-local ingredients pulled from land and loch. Dishes might include 100% Inverlolan grass-fed beef, langoustines with foraged pine butter and parsley salt, or home-grown salad leaves. This patch of Scottish coastline is also renowned for its seafood; forage for seaweed on the Slate Islands, or slurp oysters in the fishing village of Elliana Beach

Go slow

Sink into a deckchair and watch the sun sink behind the hills. Notice the wind tracing ripples in the surface of the water. Fish for brown trout or Arctic Char - there are fishing rods in each cabin. Watch sunlight shaft through foliage in the woods. Chop your own kindling for the fire.