Scottish Bothy Bible: The complete guide to Scotland s bothies and how to reach them

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A simple shelter in remote country for the use and benefit of all those who love being in wild and lonely places.” When can I go to a bothy? No, bothies do not have beds in the normal sense of the word. There may be a basic wooden structure that could be defined as a bed, but a simple sleeping platform is more normal. You may not even get that. Glencoul bothy is located in one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland; surrounded by mountains and at the head of Loch Glencoul. You just cannot beat the view of Loch Glencoul, which is virtually on this bothy’s doorstep. A traverse of Corbetts Beinn a’ Chumhainn (903m), and Sgòr Choinnich (929m) and Sgòr Gaibhre (955m) is another fine round. So, there it is; nothing that you wouldn’t expect from visitors to your property so ‘Do as you would be done by’ and help to preserve the bothy network.

Scottish Bothy Bible: The complete guide to Scotland s

From Ben Alder Cottage at Dalwhinnie to Greg’s Hut in the Pennines and Arenig Fawr in Snowdonia The Book of the Bothy is a catalogue of delights, sure to promote explorations beyond the author’s selections. For each bothy featured there is an Ordnance Survey map with grid reference and descriptions of two access routes, one the direct or “classic” with a longer “challenging” alternative for hill-baggers and those who have time and inclination. The bothy building, rooms and facilities are described in detail and nearby hills are listed too. But this book is more than a gazetteer of cost-free wilderness lodgings; its utility is multiplied by the author’s enthusiasm for the outdoor life, made clear in short personal essays describing her individual bothy adventures. Phoebe Smith brings the great bothy resource to life and reminds us of a cultural truth close to the centre of our humanity – that the provision of shelter is to be freely given to needy travellers who pass among us. Her book is a job well done. Well, that depends on how you think of a toilet. Most bothies have no formal facilities and a spade is the provided equipment. If that isn’t going to work for you, then a bothy is not the place to spend the night. If there is no space when you arrive, you could end up outside, so it is worth bringing a bivvy bag or tent, just in case.For those who aren't aware, a bothy is a basic building which is free for use by walkers for shelter or to stay one or two nights. Most don't have toilets and no running water so is basically a step up from a tent. Many are ex-miner cottages and have a historic story to tell and many are in places with fantastic views. Most are in Scotland but there are a few in the Lake District, Northumberland and Wales. The majority of Bothies are maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association are were relatively secret until a few years ago. Choice for all– 28 circular or return routes covering the whole of Scotland and suitable for a broad range of fitness levels and experience.

A guide to Scottish bothies – Raiders Gravel

Yes, you can sleep in a bothy, that’s exactly what they are for. A bothy is a place to shelter for the night, or maybe 2. Any more, and you should seek permission from the landowner. Unless you are planning to arrive by kayak, or take a boat trip from the Kylesku Hotel, there is no direct route to Glencoul. Approaches from West and North both require concentration and good navigation skills, particularly in poor weather conditions. Key Attractions:Regarded as the best book on Scottish bothies, The Bothy Bible is a no-brainer if you want to explore from your armchair before venturing out. Here she records the beauty to be seen in living landscapes, the wildlife to be alert for and all the richness of people encountered… and some may surprise. Prince Charles, Robert De Nero and Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit all make their appearances.

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The only way to reach this bothy is by hiking or cycling- those ending the Cape Wrath Trail or the Scottish National Trail may want to spend the night once they’ve reached Cape Wrath. There is a bus and ferry service that takes tourists to Cape Wrath from Durness, and they can drop you near the bothy if requested. a bothy is a place of safety in a storm, a place to take shelter and recuperate in the wildest of landscapes. Traditionally open to all, they are a place you may meet others who are also on a journey, similar but perhaps different to yours. A place where you can share in the warmth of a fire, a song or a tale. But you may also find solitude there; space to contemplate where you’ve been and where you’re headed. In each bothy there is usually a book where people can sign their name, tell their story and share their voice. It may include reflections, poems, observations or pictures inspired by their time at or on their way to the bothy.’ Groups of 6 or less should only stay in bothies. To avoid overcrowding, the MBA recommends visiting bothies in groups of 6 or less.

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The first thing many will notice about Kearvaig bothyis that it is fantastically located right on Kearvaig Bay– one of the most northern bays in Scotland. Maybe bring a small tarp or groundsheet in case you have to sleep on the ground. Do you pay to stay in a bothy? Bothies can look romantic, but in reality they can be cold, dusty, damp, and pretty dark. Yet in the evening, with the fire blazing, candles burning, hot food on the table and a glass of wine at your elbow, the place is transformed. Some (myself included) just like to go ‘bothying’ – setting off for the weekend without any other objective in mind – and many bothies have been adopted as a home from home. Evenings can be peaceful or convivial, so respect other users as well as the bothy itself. Each shelter has at least one dedicated MBA maintenance officer who volunteers their services to look after the fabric of the building and when major renovations are required, the MBA organises work parties. I would wholeheartedly recommend joining the MBA to support all their good work.

Ten Best Bothies for Beginners - UKHillwalking UKH Articles - Ten Best Bothies for Beginners - UKHillwalking

If there is no toilet at the bothy, please bury human waste out of sight. Use the spade provided, keep well away from the water supply and never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet. Phoebe Smith is responsible for bringing bothies into more mainstream popularity, and her book is a good read. Bothy is pronounced how it is spelled. Say the “both” bit as if you were saying; cloth, sloth, or moth. Scottish accent is optional. K A/Camban Bothy in 1983 What is a bothy? Inside the rather large but rather dark room, there is a sturdy table, a scattering of chairs, and a bizarre candelabra hanging from the ceiling. In 2012 the Friends of Bob Scott’s donated a stove – a very welcome addition. A steep wooden ladder leads up to an attic space.Some folk can carry a load of tins into a bothy but can’t carry out the empties, some bury rubbish, which is harder than removing it. Do your bit for the environment and take all rubbish out. If you can manage to take out one or two bits that others have left, you’ll get an extra star. Leaving spare food in bothies is an issue on which there are diverse opinions. Leaving non-perishable items, such as unopened tins is OK in principal but some people see tins and think that it’s OK to leave less vermin proof items, thus encouraging furry friends to take up residence. When you leave the bothy ensure that the fire is out: bothies have been lost as a result of unattended fires. Make sure that all doors and windows are securely closed. Deer and sheep are adept at opening unsecured doors and closing them once inside. If you are unfortunate enough to find a four-legged bothy resident it may be very angry or smelly, or both. Respect the surroundings The bothy that allows you to see all this and more is a hunting lodge built in 1877. 15 metres from the bothy there's the remains of a farmhouse, which now lies in ruin, but the date carved into one of the extended beams beneath the roof. The building was abandoned 40 years ago and had become a little the worse for wear when an MBA renovation team extensively refurbished both the interior and exterior in 2009. An excellent read and kept me interested throughout. I'm so overjoyed I am immediately going to buy a copy for my friend. Downstairs to the right is a rough-and-ready working area. The exposed interior stonework has been whitewashed and the floor retains much of its original cobbling. To the left, an interior door leads into a communal, wood-panelled room, a little cramped owing to a low ceiling but homely nonetheless.