Frequently Asked Questions
EVERYTHING GUESTS ASK US MOST
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we are asked most often about staying at Glen Dessary. If yours is not answered here, please get in touch. We are always happy to help.
Where exactly is Glen Dessary?
Glen Dessary Lodge sits at the head of Loch Arkaig in Lochaber, about an hour's drive from Spean Bridge near Fort William, on the edge of Knoydart. The postcode is PH34 4EL. Our travel guide covers the journey in detail, including the single-track road along the loch.
How many guests can you accommodate?
The Lodge sleeps up to 15 guests in seven bedrooms: one double en-suite, three twin en-suite, one triple en-suite and two twin bedrooms sharing a bathroom. The nearby Bothy sleeps a further 6 guests in two twin and two single rooms, giving 21 in total.
Do we get exclusive use of the estate?
Yes, unless you have booked a place on one of our shared stays. A Lodge booking is exclusive use: the Lodge, the Bothy and a private location amongst the Estate's 15,000 acres of mountains, rivers and lochs, with no other party on the ground. Our shared summer stays and shared stalking trips are the exception, and they are sold as places on set dates rather than as a booking of the whole Lodge.
What is a shared stay?
A shared stay is a place at the Lodge on set dates, rather than a booking of the whole Estate. You arrive to a party already assembled, usually ten to fourteen guests, and share the dining table, the drawing room and the fire. Shared summer stays run from May to September over three or four nights, with the activity programme and every meal included. Shared stalking trips are six nights, in September for the stags and November for the hinds. Both run only if the dates reach a minimum number of guests.
Is catering included?
Lodge bookings are fully catered. Our team cooks using the finest local produce, including the Estate's own venison and lamb and locally sourced fish and shellfish, with menus built around your preferences and any dietary requirements. Catering covers anyone sleeping in the Bothy, which is self-catered only when a sporting party takes it on its own. See our catering page for more.
What does it cost?
Fully catered Lodge stays are £275 per guest per night, subject to a minimum of 10 guests. The Bothy starts from £250. Lodge bookings of fewer than three nights carry a £495 service charge. Shared stays are priced per place instead: from £1,270.50 per guest for a three-night summer stay, and £400 per guest per night on a shared stalking week. Full detail is on our pricing page, or you can build your own stay for an indicative quote.
What deposit do you take?
A 20% deposit confirms your reservation, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. If you cancel more than 30 days before arrival the deposit is refunded less a £250 administration fee; if you cancel 30 days or less before arrival the booking is non-refundable and the full amount remains payable. For certain events such as stag and hen parties we may also ask for a damage deposit, refundable less the cost of any damage or excessive cleaning.
When are the stalking seasons?
The stag season at Glen Dessary runs from 15 August to 20 October and the hind season from 21 October to 15 February. Full detail and prices are on our deer stalking page.
Is the Estate open all year?
Almost. We close from 1 December to 15 January. The road into the glen is single track and unploughed, and heavy snow regularly cuts us off entirely, so we take no bookings across those dates and the hill is not safe to work. This applies even though the hind season runs from 21 October to 15 February, so hind stalking is available either side of the closure but not during it. Every other week of the year is open, and the Estate is at its most dramatic in autumn and early winter.
Can I stalk if I have never done it before?
Yes. Guests are always accompanied by an experienced, qualified stalker who will guide you through the day. If you would rather not carry a rifle at all, photo stalking uses exactly the same fieldcraft with a camera instead.
What is there to do besides sporting?
Plenty. Guided hikes, Argocat adventures, clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing lessons, whisky tastings and evenings of piping are all available. Unaccompanied fishing on the River Dessary is free of charge for Lodge guests. See activities for the full list.
Can I fish on the Estate if I am not staying?
No. All the water on the Estate is private, including the rivers Dessary and Pean, the hill lochans and the stocked loch by the Lodge. Fishing is for guests of the Estate only and we do not issue permits or day tickets to the public. If you would like to fish here, you would be very welcome to build your own stay.
Can we hold a wedding at Glen Dessary?
Yes, we host intimate weddings of up to 21 guests. In Scotland you may marry at any location agreed with your celebrant or registrar, so you can exchange vows outdoors in the glen or inside the Lodge. See our weddings page.
Is there mobile signal and internet?
Glen Dessary is genuinely remote and there is no mobile signal in the glen. Starlink Wi-Fi runs throughout the Lodge and the Bothy, so you can be reached if you need to be. Most guests find the quiet a large part of the appeal.
What should we bring?
Highland weather changes quickly, so good waterproofs and sturdy boots are essential if you plan to be on the hill. Because the Lodge is an hour from the nearest town, it is worth arriving with everything you need. Our travel guide has a fuller list.
How do we check availability and book?
You can check live availability and send an enquiry from our Create Your Stay page, or simply contact us directly and we will come back to you.
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