JMCS : The Cabin : details

• Location: Balgowan, Inverness-shire, 7 miles SW of Newtonmore, 1 mile E of Laggan, on a single track road just north of the A86 Newtonmore to Spean Bridge road.

• Maps: Landranger 35, and Monadhliaths. OS map (streetmap) OS map (pdf file: 1MB) Google map

• Grid Ref: Hut: NN 63898 94391 Car park: NN 63812 94355

• Lat/Long: Hut: 57.0205 N, 4.2440 W Car park: 57.0201 N, 4.2449 W

• Postcode: PH20 1BS.

• Access: Coming from the south/ Newtonmore & the A9, follow the A86 west to the single track road signposted to Balgowan on the right at the west gate of Cluny Castle, take the single track road to the car park (photo) on the right in about 300 yards.

Alernatively, turn off the A9 at onto the A889, turning right onto the A86 just after the Monadhliath hotel, through Laggan to Balgowan and just before the W gate of Cluny Castle, turn left & follow the single track road to the car park as above.

From the West, follow the A86 towards Newtonmore, through Laggan to Balgowan as above.

There is space in the car park for 6 (carefully parked) cars.

The access path to The Cabin is to the W end of the car park, follow the track up the hillside and round to the right behind the trees to reach the hut in about 100 yards.

• Accommodation: 10 people: 8 on two alpine-style sleeping platforms and 2 on bunk beds in an adjoining small room, all with mattresses.

• Price: £7 per person per night.

• Facilities: Electric lighting/heating/cooking, wood burning stove (bring your own wood), H&C water, WC, shower, drying room, microwaves, fridges - crockery and kitchen utensils are supplied. o In addition, there is a coin meter for the electricity. Note : the meter takes £1 coins.

• Mobile phone reception: Orange & 3 do have fair reception; Vodafone is intermittent; O2 has no reception. We have not checked other networks, but do not rely on reception.

• Note: THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA – PLEASE KEEP LATE NIGHT NOISE TO A MINIMUM. NO CAMPING IS ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY. • When you leave: o Turn off all electrical appliances at the sockets, including fridges and water heater; leave the fridge & icebox doors open. DO NOT TURN OFF ANY OF THE MAINS POWER SWITCHES. The power must be left on to keep the Alarms & trace heaters - these are crucial to avoid burst pipes - running. o Ensure The Cabin is left tidy & that all windows & doors are left locked & secure. o Take away all refuse & ashes - PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE IT IN NEIGHBOUR’S BINS. • Shops: There is a well-stocked shop in Laggan selling most of the basics including firewood & is open every day (including Sunday) approx 9am-6pm (see their web page) - other shops in Newtonmore & Kingussie etc..

• Petrol stations: The closest petrol station is in Newtonmore, open 7am-10pm every day (ex Christmas and New Year's Day).

• Bars: The Laggan hotel is about 3/4 mile to the west on the A86 and serves bar meals to non-residents. (the hotel is not open every night in low-season, so it is worth checking before relying on it). The Monadhliath hotel is also nearby - there are other hotels and bars in Newtonmore.

• Custodian: Ali Borthwick 2 Aytoun Grove Dunfermline KY12 9YA 01383 732 232