The remotest bunkhouse on mainland Britain has opened – more than 300 feet above the sea and at a bombing range.
The rooms with a view at Cape Wrath – the most north westerly point on mainland UK – has been constructed by the peninsula’s only two residents.
John Ure and his daughter Angela have converted the old machine room near Cape Wrath Lighthouse into a bunkhouse capable of taking eight people.
They hope to expand it to take another two people later.
And already scores of backpackers have taken advantage of the £5-a-night facility.
The family has splashed out £12,000 on the development since November.
He runs the remotest cafe in the country right next to the lighthouse and usually serves around 6,000 people-a-year – concentrated in the main season – when the area is not being used as a bombing range by the MoD.
But getting to the Sutherland lighthouse, four miles from the 900-feet highest vertical cliffs on mainland UK, is not easy.
It involves a seasonal ferry journey across the narrow Kyle of Durness and a 11 mile trip up a bumpy road. The only other route an 11 mile walk from near Kinlochbervie over rough, unmarked, but stunning, terrain.
But still a few thousand walkers and tourists head to the cape each year.
Mr Ure, 64, said: “The bunkhouse is open and booming. We have had scores already.
“It is a badly needed facility in the area and we plan to open all year round.
“I am also be offering evening meals and breakfast, a grocery shop in the cafe for the walkers – as well as among the best views on the planet. So far the season has been hectic. We are getting a lot of people off the NC500.”
The Military last year increased their use of Cape Wrath – with the installation of three new major gun battery sites.
