What makes Inverlonan so utterly special? Well, it’s definitely helped along by their profound and remarkable location, setting and all the mind-opening history that you feel surrounding you when you’re there.
Inverlonan is in a beautiful part of Scotland completely bathed in history. ‘Inverlonan’ is the collective name for the farms of Strontoiller, Duneil, and Ballygowan. ‘Inver’ is a historic geographic term describing the area around the mouth of a river, in this case, the River Lonan, which runs along Glen Lonan into Loch Nell, where the bothies sit.
Glen Lonan is a stunning valley, firmly rooted in mythology and ancient history. According to legend, Finn MacCool (yep, we agree what a surname) and Diarmid of ancient Irish mythology fought to the death for the love of Grainne in this glen. The funeral corteges of some ancient Kings of Scotland, including Kenneth MacAlpin, Aed, Giric, and Constantin I, also passed through the glen en route to Crinan and burial on the Isle of Iona.
Inverlonan is rich in Neolithic, Iron Age and Middle Age history and mythology. The Strontoiller Stone Circle, built around 2000 BC, stands in front of Inverlonan’s farmhouse. Nearby is the 13ft Clach Na Caraig standing stone, or Diarmid’s Pillar, marking his grave. There are many ancient sites to explore, including Duns, hut circles, cup-marked stones, and burial grounds. Ongoing studies aim to prove that Inverlonan was a key site for ancient sun worship, with alignments such as Diarmid’s Pillar, the Rubha na Moine Crannog, and the setting winter solstice sun.
In more recent times, Ballygowan Farm, the point of access to the Bothies, was at the heart of Dal Riata, the Gaelic kingdom which encompassed Argyll and County Antrim (Northern Ireland) in the 6th and 7th centuries. Hills on Ballygowan Farm include Tom an Eirinnich (The Irishman’s Hill), Tom na Caorach (The Sheep’s Hill), and Barr a’ Chlaiginn (Hill of the Skull).
Their location and its historical significance is truly unique - pair that with slow living, and we guarantee you’ll feel all that has come before and soak up that rich history whilst taking in your first worth the wait cup of coffee or a sundowner Rapscallion soda.

If you know, you know. But if you don’t know much about bothies we don’t blame you! They’re a common sight across Scotland and have become a little famous in recent years thanks to a newfound passion for all that is wild. A network of shelters all over Scotland, they provide a basic refuge for all and any - the only genuinely free, communal institutions. Described as ‘simple shelters in remote country for the use and benefit of all who love wild and lonely places’ by the Mountain Bothy Association, you’re guaranteed to come across one if out on a wild walk or adventure in any part of Scotland. Their history is really, truly interesting so we’d recommend researching them - once you’ve finished this blog, of course.
Back to Inverlonan and their vision with Bothies - to create simple, high-end, architecturally driven, ecologically sensitive, off-grid bothies, embedded in nature. This is intended as a modern, luxury imagining of traditional Scottish Bothy culture and experience, designed for your relaxation and delectation.
The Mountain Bothy Association describes a traditional bothy as a place with no facilities: no tap, no sink, no beds, no lights, and often nothing to burn. Comforts must be carried in, and water and warmth are not guaranteed. Whilst Inverlonan have carried many of those comforts in, they aim to remain true to the traditional bothy culture and the basic premise of what a bothy provides and nurtures.
Inverlonan’s Bothies are where modern luxury meets ancient tradition, allowing you to disconnect from the hectic pace of daily life and reconnect with nature and yourself. Embrace the slow life, immerse yourself in history, and explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of Inverlonan.

Inverlonan have ensured that the unique structure of each bothy connects with the surrounding nature, making them as striking as they are sensitive to the environment they stand in. Intimate, thoughtful, warm and uniquely Scottish. The bothies have been finished with the highest quality natural furnishings, fabrics and products for rough luxury like no other. Inverlonan represents the very best of Scottish craftsmanship, artisan makers and producers.
And that’s where we come in here at Rapscallion and our wee cans of love - Inverlonan have teamed up with the very best local makers to create food & drink provisions that can be delivered straight to your door, so you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet without having to leave. From land, sea and garden you’ll be able to cook up a feast without leaving the peace and quiet of Inverlonan.
They also take the experience to another level through dining by offering a unique ‘Wild Dining Experience’. They have an exceptionally talented chef at Inverlonan with Michelin training under his belt and a stage at Relae in Denmark. They offer a unique, fairytale, off-grid, dining experience to make your stay even more special. You will be cooked for over a live fire, in a secret location, surrounded by scenic Highland beauty. With an emphasis on the wild and preserving the seasons, they use the freshest, most seasonal, most local, most ethically sourced ingredients they can find.

f reading this hasn’t wet your appetite enough to experience Inverlonan for yourselves, then head over to our youtube channel to hear more about this special place straight from Dee - the woman in charge of the care of this incredible place. You will see Inverlonan in all its wild, bothy glory in video form