Remote bunkhouse at bombing range

The most remote bunkhouse on mainland Britain has opened – high above the sea and at a bombing range.

The rooms with a view at Cape Wrath – the most northwesterly point on mainland UK – are the work of 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.

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.

Mr Ure runs the most remote 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 900ft highest vertical cliffs on mainland UK, is not easy.

It involves a seasonal ferry journey across the narrow Kyle of Durness and an 11- mile trip up a bumpy road.

The only other route is 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 around.”

He said he will also be offering evening meals and breakfast, and a grocery shop in the cafe for walkers, as well as “among the best views on the planet”.

Photograph by Sandy McCook Cape Wrath.