Rona Bothy - Isle of Rona

willk · 05 June 2016, 18:28

A few years back a couple of lads on here bigged up their trip to Rona where they had stayed in the Bothy. Naughtily, they tried to conceal it's whereabouts from me. I was not amused, but it did pique my interest as it looked like my kind of place. I made a point of seeking it out and called in this year to recce it - in case I had ever Missus willk back that way.

I timed the visit for lunch - two birds and all that. Big Harbour is VERY sheltered and has a good number of visitor moorings. However there is a pontoon that is very RIB friendly. We tied up and I headed off to seek out Bill. Bill manages the island for it's Danish owners and I was hoping he'd show me the bothy - I also owed him a few quid for the pontoon

After a bit of looking I found Bill - he's a busy man. He's also a man who speaks his mind, takes sh1t from no-one and acts like he owns the place. After a slightly shaky start I decided I liked him. He reminded me of someone, hmmm, me maybe...

willk · 05 June 2016, 19:17

Bill was having some trouble with his wireless broadband supply. As remarkable chance would have it, I had a world class wireless broadband specialist on my RIB. Fate plays quirky tricks on me all the time - and today Bill was getting the benefit of the fallout. So we had a tour of the facilities, the bothy is magnificent (hardly a bothy - more a glamping cottage). It overlooks the harbour and has the most idyllic setting. Bill showed us his secret hideaway and his Special Store - a gourmand's delight.

While I'm sure the bothy can still be rented for stays, Bill & Lorraine are now offering meals there for visitors (pre-booked obviously). There are also three very attractive cottages to let nearby in Dry Harbour.

willk · 05 June 2016, 19:29

In summary, I think Rona looks like a good place to visit for longer than I did. The bothy is great, the cottages look great, the harbour is safe, the pontoon is sound, Bill will cook lobster and venison for you, he has a stash of whisky and wines

and he's keen to get a few ribbers onshore. I think he's finding the WAFIs hard work...

Isle of Rona website: https://isleofrona.com/