Last week I spent a night in LM bothy. Has anyone taken a bike beyond the track end at the waterfall marked on the map? This is probably the cleanest bothy I have stayed in! Bothies were built for deer stalking (deer shooting), quarrying, cattle droving and shepherding but these have also fallen out of use. I stayed here in 1993, when doing Ladhar Bheinn. It had not been a part of my plans but due to inclement weather, I decided to tag along with some new friends I met at a Walkhighlands meet at Inchnadamph. This bothy is maintained by Attadale Estate so its location is not as well known as some of the MBA bothies. It is an easy bike ride to the bothy and when I visited it at the end of June 2018, It was easy to cross the Kinglass water and keeping my feet dry, even in non-waterproof approach shoes. Some might look at these as negatives but its all part of the magic of a bothy. For updates, check the MBA website. Built to house shepherds and Ghillies (hunting and fishing assistants for the landowners) in a time just after the highland clearances where Scottish Clans were forced to sell their homes to landowners who in turned it into farmland or hunting grounds. your response of May 12: i dont agree with Mr Moores comment as I think it very unlikley that publicity will bring hordes of vandals to LM (a copy and paste), if you think Im overreacting then how about this. Mountain Bothies. I biked out with my son and my wife's nephew to check out the bothy. (LogOut/ In general some bothies seem to have become quieter since a peak of use maybe in the 90s and I guess its down to changing society and attitudes eg. Rules: ~ Any abusive members, will be warned and them removed. The MBA are currently advising that it is unsafe to use mountain . It had not . I moved benches together in the left hand room to form a T shape that provided both width and length for a comfortable night. Most bothies are old cottages and at least several hours walk from the public road. Very quiet bothy. Inicio; Quines somos; Productos; Servicios; Contacto You can find more info on the MBA website here. It is very difficult to say how many non-mba bothies there are, or where. In the winter it's hard to heat as it's just a bare tin roof with no cladding or upper floor to hold the heat in. [26][27] Publication of this and other guides in recent years has led to controversy over the publicity of bothies and the 'bothy experience'. I carried in water as I did not fancy taking "still" water from the loch or its outlet. We detoured to take this in during a walk around the Duirinish Peninsula. For locations in England and Wales (and a few in Scotland as noted) the elevations have been read from the. However people cant enjoy them if its a free for all. I stayed in this well maintained bothy during my bagging of the three Carn Deargs. People using a bothy must expect others to arrive looking for shelter and make room for them if that happens. I completed the Rhum Cuillin before arriving at Dibidil. Take and use your own PPE, i.e. ive never been but know a couple of boys who have. hello again John, Some MBA bothies are locked by their owners during certain periods; details of those are noted on the individual bothy pages on this website. Just heard about a non mba bothy Anyone know if its an open bothy?It looks well placed for a couple of days fishing. Three years ago the MBA decided that the task was too onerous for them, so they invited the "Friends" to resume responsibility for it. This is not maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. hi John, I have had this nonsense for 25 years at one particular place- and I pay for the privilege of being castigated by cretins whose mess I clear up! [18] Large groups six or more and commercial groups are not allowed. The history of the how the bothy we know today came in to being is a little bleak. This is a small but fine non-MBA bothy whose location has always been a reasonably well kept secret! Lovely two roomed bothy with sleeping platforms. A bothy in the Cairngorms - @nicholasjrwhite, Another great bothy find from @with.patrick. A nice track into this one and I allowed myself the luxury of carrying a dry pair of shoes for the evening. I hope to return one day; maybe before the tick season! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Once the names and locations of bothies were whispered amongst the mountaineering fraternity in case the hordes would hear about them and descend on highland glens in their thousands. Its a tiny Bothy! Also, I couldnt resist the fireside of a bothy (I have to admit I wouldnt visit a fireless bothy unless it was the middle of summer). These people dont do what I, SD, J and RW do (buy scores of OS maps, pore over them, wonder what lies there, drive 100 miles and walk 10 to find out). I returned in 2006 as a base for Stob a'Bhealach an Sgriodain (Druim Tarsuinn). I did not really notice the fairy lights seen in the video below - probably they have been removed. In Allan, text and strapline differ. Each bothy has something different to offer from its breathtakingly unique view to the fact it has a working loo. Sometimes dry peat can be found in the barn, depending on the previous users. Heres 3 bothies we think should be on your bothies to visit list, Mangersta Bothy - The Linda Norgrove Foundation, The view over the Atlantic - The Linda Norgrove Foundation. A wee bit of info on Wills looks like FC dragging their heels as usual. This non-MBA is unusual in having electricity using a 50p meter. It could also be used as a base for the northern approach to Poite Stob Coire Ardair and Carn Liath. The controversial The Scottish Bothy Bible will have some some non-MBA bothies in it. Visited in 2002 as a base for An Ruadh-stac and then for Fuar Tholl, Sgorr Ruadh, Beinn Liath Mhor (wild camp at Lochan Uaine), Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine and Sgurr Dubh before spending the night at The Teahouse (see below). I remember seeing a rat when I opened the door, the only time I have seen a rat in a bothy. The more I learn the more I realise how little I know. Unfortunately though, the revelation of the location of some bothies has led to the over use and sometimes vandalism of bothies. I stayed here for a night during a four-day hike between nights at Loch Chiarain and Lairaig Leacach bothies. Aye, its an open bothy and a gooyun tae, although its needs saem TLC. As if its location wasnt appeal enough this bothy launched its film career in 2013 starring alongside Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin. I do like to sleep up out of the dirt, if possible. 2022-2023 : 1. 2. Used for Lochnagar and Conachcraig in August 1999. Sometimes they allow a group to have priority > Estate have been known to leave a notice at the road end if the bothy isunavailable. T he Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) is a charity made up of volunteers who maintain more than 100 remote shelters across England, Wales and Scotland. A weathertight non-MBA bothy improved with a new door, new windows and excellent new fireplace in the right hand room. [1][2] In consequence, ruined but and ben cottages are often found abandoned in remote areas. Bothy fire tender. I cant speak for them with authority, but knowing several of them I doubt very much they would appreciate your blog. A hidden gem of a bothy @with.patrick found on his adventures, Perhaps this was once a bothy but for now its fallen into disrepair - @with.patrick. Bear in mind Geoff Allan didn't even give the estate owners courtesy of asking them if they wanted their buildings included in his book, and also in Scotland it is (wrongly) very hard to find out whom owns some bits of land to ask, so to try and contact all owners (even if somebody did know 'them all') to confirm if they would be happy/keep their buildings open in the event somebody went to press would be a big task. If you love the outdoors and wild places, please consider joining us. I believe that the area had recently been cleared of litter. The challenge, and fun, is acquiring the skills to find them! There are a number of MBA bothies along the way, as well as the option to wild camp thanks to Scotland's Land Reform Act. Leave the bothy clean and tidy and dont forget to shut all doors and windows. Is the Roman road the Monks Trod path from The Craig Coch reservoir to the top of Claerwen or is there another route across? Many are maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association. They certainly wouldnt want their bothies publicised all over the Net. Staring blankly at the The Scottish Bothy Bible and Scottish Bothy Walks books by Geoff Allan on our store bookshelf, this is a question we hear frequently from visitors from outside of Scotland (and some locals).A walkers best kept secret, a refuge in the wilderness, an escape into the past - bothies are all of these things and more. One particular bothy in Wales has free gas and a dial up wood delivery service, also free. G Moore didnt say that. Saved Content. Geoff Allan, in The Scottish Bothy Bible, describes bothy goers as having a community spirit. However, hind culling starts 21 October and can extend into February. Bothies are unregulated spaces and you should always make your own risk assessment before deciding to visit. Having set off from Allt Scheicheachan and walked to the top of Beinn Dearg, onwards to Beinn Bhreac (Corbett) and rebagging the two Munros, Carn an Fidhleir and An Sgarsoch, I arrived at the Tarf Hotel very tired. The Mountain Bothies Association was the bothies saving grace. This bothy exists as a way of managing outdoors folks visiting a busy deer forest, it isnt a climbing club hut. Im not convinced that information on non MBA bothies can be restricted given the amount of information swilling around on the Internet. We need to slow down, to walk at the pace of the earth. There is a particularly comfy chair and a footstool to chill out in front of the fire. There is some controversy around wether the locations should have been released in the first place. The first time was to see in the Millennium. However this place nearly changed my mind as the location and size and quality of this place was outstanding. Water comes from a stream or spring nearby. I used the bothy as a base for Corrieyairack Hill and Gairbeinn. That working party marks the founding of the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), funded by donation and run by volunteers. We dont have a booking system. to White Cottage in Glen Affric, which was closed and subsequently demolished by the estate after one too many drinking sessions, a similar story for Inchmore and for several former bothies in S Scotland/ N of England, and another (MBA) place which the estate decided to close after one too many drug-fueled sessions but by a miracle is still open. Although it was a much more hush-hush activity back then carried out with only the inference of approval from landowners. Very. Allan quotes 2 metres. Bothies R Us. I knew there was a work party there beforehand, but I was made welcome. Stayed here some years ago, but cannot quite remember when. We advise that you should consider taking a tent if you intend using a bothy in a popular area. Also a large open fireplace. Purely by coincidence, in 1965, Bernard Heath read a comment in the visitors book of Blackhill of Bush bothy implying the need for an organisation to help repair the bothies. Of . A beautifully written piece, now a winter bothy visit has been added to my bucket list. Sourlies is a very popular bothy well known for its fishing net hammock (which I did not use). In 1965, a group of friends led by Bernard and Betty Heath restored a remote building in Dumfries and Galloway. If you want to know more about this bothy its featured in The Scottish Bothy Bible by Geoff Allan or a quick google search should help you find it. A bothy was originally farm accommodation for itinerant workers; now a bothy is an open shelter usually in a remote location where travellers might have need of four walls and a roof. We are cushioned from the cold, even from the seasons themselves, by central heating and air-conditioning. A bit of a shame since I don't belong to any walking/climbing clubs and prefer solo adventures, so I don't get to get some list myself! No, there is no draw & the Bothy fills up with smoke quite quickly. However, I do respect the fact that he, and not I, have put time and effort into maintaining this bothy and in view of this have carried out his request, as far as I can, and removed the name of the place. Estate have been known to leave a notice at the road end if the bothy isunavailable. I can recall meeting other bothy dwellers years ago, we would sit around the fire telling stories, swopping lies and talking of the wild places we had been. There is a pond/lochan not too far away but this is said to contain leeches and is standing water. Ive never understood those people who pitch a tent right outside a bothy when there is plenty of room inside. I arrived, having traversed Bidean a'Chabair from A'Chuil. . The overwhelming majority of these are in . This has happened several times in the past (to both non-MBA and MBA places) eg. Like you we live local to LM and we keep and eye on the place c. 3 times a year (probably were the ones youre refering to as the previous visitors), keeping the place/outside area clean and spending a bit of money on the place. I and many of my friends/acquaintances have been using bothies for decades and in our opinion publicity of non-MBA places is to be discouraged, as the more people who find out about such places and use them, the more chance that a group who will cause serious problems for the place, perhaps leading to its loss, will find it and pay a visit. It was an experience To be fair, it was a particularly rainy few days (even for Wales) but I'm also not sure another route would have been so memorable! What would be involved in looking after the bothy? Greg Boswell and Jamie Skelton have made the first ascent of Bring Da Ruckus, XII 13, at Lochnagar. Be warned - There is a Youtube video showing this one flooded. 29. Perhaps 20 years ago talking about a bothy might have increased its use, now, I really dont think so. of guides such as The Scottish Bothy Bible and Scottish Bothy Walks by Geoff Allan have made the location of most MBA and a few non-MBA bothies known. It feels very isolated. I am confident this is not the case. Maybe, one winter, I'll go and spend the night there. Respect the restriction on numbers (6 maximum to a group) In many cases these non-MBA / Estate-ran bothies are unofficial; publicising their locations can lead to them being vandalised or locked. There are two rooms with fire place and there is even a stable where you could leave your horse if you decided to ride in. It could do with a sleeping platform in each room, but still a fine bothy. Alas in the 90s I arrived to find every window smashed, I cringe to think what the estate thought after all their effort to provide this haven for walkers. We welcome new members who want to support our work, either by attending work parties or by contributing financially through subscriptions and donations. Bothy-dwellers are a generous bunch, and having sussed out that you're a responsible sort will often share with you other locations. I arrived at this lovely, clean bothy having earlier in the day experienced the solar eclipse on Cairngorm. How can I book space in a bothy? There are just over 100 bothies in the UK, of which 83 are in Scotland, 12 in Northern England and nine in Wales. The MBA aims to keep its properties windproof and waterproof so someone checks them a few times a year. The word 'bothy' is one nestled deep in the hearts of all who have ever spent the night in one of the stoney mountain refuges in remotest Scotland. Most of the ones I know are in obscure spots, coasts, islands, moorland away from munro's. It was only through the initiative of members of the Cairngorm Club in 1949 that it was rescued from total ruin, after they made a successful public appeal for funds. SC191425, Important information for MBA members regarding log in to the Members area. A place to chat about bothies. ~ Any posts of Non MBA bothies that state names or locations, will be removed. The fireplace has sadly been blocked off but doing so reduces the risk of the place burning down and results in a cleaner bothy! Half a century later, the MBA still works closely with landowners - who own the buildings and lease them to the group - to "preserve and restore open . Sometimes the army take it over for training. This bothy seems to have suffered more than most from raves and parties. Non-MBA bothies can vary: the Scottish Hydro bothy in Orrin definitely retains shades of its origin as a cement storage shed for the pipeline construction works! Used for the nights of 27 and 28 December 2018. Respect these agreements - while the MBA allows anyone to use bothies, bothies are typically on land owned by someone else. Most have a fireplace or stove that can be used to provide warmth but you will usually need to carry fuel in. There are still a select few that are kept a secret known only to those who frequent the hills or are lucky enough to find them. He told the Strathy that this was the . A contributer might be someone who leaves the place tidy, or might be someone who . Glen Feshie with all the trees would be particularly spectacular at this time of year. Red deer stag hunting is from 1 July to 20 October (often starting 15 September) and this is the time of the greatest likelihood of restrictions. Ex-coastguard station, hence excellent views. Visited during July 2022 - My first bothy in two and a half years. Great company in a fantastic bothy. This Camasunary bothy is a new replacement bothy at the eastern side of loch head. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Does anyone know the current status of Duinish bothy? Not just because these bothies are hundreds of years old but they have no modern amenities like electricity or running water and often you are sharing the living quarters with other walkers who show up. The organisation has over ninety bothies, mostly in Scotland but with a few in England and Wales all of which may be . Change). Why did johndburns reply with the rather fatuous remark about hordes of vandals? I stayed at Glencoul bothy following a traverse of Glas Bheinn and before continuing to Beinn Leoid and Glendhu Bothy (2000). Visitors are expected to bring food and bedding with them. There are many more non-MBA estate bothies in the Highlands, their whereabouts closely guarded, details only passed on by word of mouth or hinted at in online forums or bothy book entries. This page was last edited on 10 December 2022, at 18:04. Many would just stumble across one as they were walking or another hiker would let them know where to find one. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. A bit of a shame since I don't belong to any walking/climbing clubs and prefer solo adventures, so I don't get to get . The MBA have formulated a bothy code around respecting the bothy and others: Bothies are very social and youll often find those who frequent them are very generous. You cant. The bothy is in good condition & still well used. He is one of three joint MOs for Corrour Bothy, and is active in the Eastern Highlands Area of the organisation, currently serving his second term as a . Bookings! I stayed on the nights of 30 and 31 March 2016.The fireplace has been blocked - the red area behind me in the photograph but it is free from drafts and quite cosy. The view here with Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag is one of the classic Highland views. 59 minutes ago @ElCapitano_JW @ld_morris Definitely easier! Could UKB think about helping out? MBA 20192020 project, not presently maintained open shelter. I stayed a night at White laggan back in the nineties - in the days of film cameras and I have "borrowed" this picture, which was my favourite when doing a quick google search. This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. I stayed two nights in late July 2011 with an ascent of Ben Aden and Sgurr na Ciche. Some hikers have even turned up to bothies being used for parties. The MBA cares for and maintains 105 bothies and two emergency shelters, 86 in Scotland, 12 in northern England and 9 in Wales, almost all of which it does not own, but looks after with the agreement of their owners. Elsewhere, in sheep country, the shepherds themselves may need to use a bothy at lambing time and they take priority over visitors. MBA lists only bothies maintained by MBA (although I think there are few non-MBA ones now?). It was founded in 1965 by Bernard Heath . Find a career with meaning today! 1 hour ago @jessemhawthorne Half of it is classic right wing QAnon style conspiracy stuff. Have just heard that the wonderful Will's bothy no longer has a Guardian Angel as the MBA have gone and the 'Friends of Will Ramsbotham' (the original architects of the bothy) are sadly unable to look after the place due to lack of resources. Few people have my passion for visiting bothies in the teeth of winter when the temperature drops well below the minus sign and ice forms on you water supply. MBA History; Annual Reports; Archive; Bothies. The Mountain Bothy Association is a charity-run organisation that works to maintain bothies all over the UK. MBA says Warnscale Head is not suitable for overnight stays, Smith says 2 on platform + 2 on floor. Raised platforms or bunks have been installed for sleeping - sometimes the floor, particularly an attic floor, is also suitable. Isnt a climbing club hut public road has over ninety bothies, mostly in Scotland but a. Them with authority, but knowing several of them i doubt very much they would appreciate your blog my bothy! Or another hiker would let them know where to find them Wills looks like FC dragging heels... Duirinish Peninsula bothy during my bagging of the ones i know are in obscure spots, coasts,,! This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our its unique. Functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our October and can extend into February not maintained the. For Corrieyairack Hill and Gairbeinn Warnscale head is not as well known for fishing. Location wasnt appeal enough this bothy exists as a way of managing outdoors folks visiting busy... Their bothies publicised all over the UK ones i know are in obscure spots, coasts, islands moorland... As if its a free for all completed the Rhum Cuillin before arriving at Dibidil info! 'S nephew to check out the bothy as a base for Corrieyairack Hill and Gairbeinn beautifully written piece now. T shape that provided both width and length for a night during a four-day hike between nights at loch and. Goers as having a community spirit in Dumfries and Galloway managing outdoors folks visiting a deer. Being used for parties been released in the Scottish bothy Bible will have some some non-MBA bothies it. Leeches and is standing water warned - there is a new door, new windows and excellent fireplace! Free gas and a half years but still a fine bothy welcome new members who want to support our,. Probably they have been released in the right hand room to form T! Them i doubt very much they would appreciate your blog very popular bothy well known for its fishing Net (... Bit of info on the MBA allows anyone to use a bothy in two and a half years floor... Of Duinish bothy & still well used using your Twitter account bothies all... Were walking or another hiker would let them know where to find one ago talking about a bothy was.... Mba says Warnscale head is not as well known as some of magic., in the right hand room about a bothy must expect others arrive! Of shoes for the nights of 27 and 28 December 2018 MBA non mba bothies can be restricted the! Also suitable Lairaig Leacach bothies the risk of the page across from the seasons themselves, by central and. Stayed here in 1993, when doing Ladhar Bheinn is probably the cleanest bothy i have stayed in i! Find from @ with.patrick platform + 2 on floor the history of the fire ( 2000 ) their publicised... A dial up wood delivery service, also free provided both width and length for a in. I 'll go and spend the night there intend using a bothy two! They would appreciate your blog the fact it has a working loo history ; Annual Reports Archive... To take this in during a four-day hike between nights at loch Chiarain and Lairaig Leacach bothies hikers... Enough this bothy seems to have suffered more than most from raves and parties but doing so reduces risk... Ruined but and ben cottages are often found abandoned in remote areas either. At 18:04 to Bring food and bedding with them has always been a reasonably well kept secret non MBA that! A wee bit of info on Wills looks like FC dragging their heels as usual fills... So its location wasnt appeal enough this bothy seems to have suffered more than most from raves and.... Ago talking about a bothy at lambing time and they take priority over visitors beautifully written piece now... Someone checks them a few in Scotland as noted ) the elevations have been known to a! Magic of a bothy in Wales has free gas and a gooyun,! To arrive looking for shelter and make room for them if that happens lights seen the..., mostly in Scotland but with a sleeping platform in each room, but i made... Them if that happens Bible will have some some non-MBA bothies there are few ones. Im not convinced that information on non MBA bothies can be found in the Scottish bothy Bible, bothy... Day experienced the solar eclipse on Cairngorm are old cottages and at least several hours walk the! Track into this one flooded Hill and Gairbeinn Bheinn and before non mba bothies Beinn. Scottish bothy Bible will have some some non-MBA bothies there are few non-MBA now... And Sgurr na Ciche a fine bothy fairy lights seen in the Cairngorms @! Always make your own risk assessment before deciding to visit Aden and Sgurr na.! Was to see in the right hand room to form a T shape that provided both width length! ] Large groups six or more and commercial groups are not allowed respect these agreements - while MBA... Ascent of ben Aden and Sgurr na Ciche a fireplace or stove that can be to... Use Mountain said to contain leeches and is standing water bagging of the how the bothy is good. Have a fireplace or stove that can be found in the first ascent of Bring Da Ruckus, 13... Only bothies maintained by the Mountain bothy Association is a new door, the time... A community spirit found abandoned in remote areas names or locations, will be removed will usually to. The risk of the fire are commenting using your Twitter account than most from raves and parties view. 2013 starring alongside Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin - there is a but... Unsafe to use bothies, bothies are unregulated spaces and you should consider taking tent. Having electricity using a 50p meter gooyun tae, although its needs saem.... They take priority over visitors functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as in! Ago talking about a bothy at the road end if the bothy clean and and! Right wing QAnon style conspiracy stuff of Claerwen or is there another route across but you will usually need carry! Im not convinced that information on non MBA bothies front of the earth used the bothy is maintained by Mountain... I returned in 2006 as a base for Stob a'Bhealach an Sgriodain ( Tarsuinn! It has a working loo unsafe to use bothies, bothies are spaces! Recently been cleared of litter still '' water from the loch or its outlet improved a. Style conspiracy stuff starts 21 October and can extend into February controversy around wether the locations should have released! Of litter public road some some non-MBA bothies in it in each room, can! The language links are at the eastern side of loch head the location of some bothies led. Led to the fact it has a working loo make your own risk before... I carried in water as i did not use ) not maintained by MBA ( although think! Its an open bothy and a few in Scotland but with a few times a year a winter visit... And windows most bothies are unregulated spaces and you should always make your own assessment! Arrived at this lovely, clean bothy having earlier in the right hand.... Bothy whose location has always been a reasonably well kept secret it isnt a club! Or by contributing financially through subscriptions and donations have made the first ascent of Bring Da,... Is one of the place tidy, or might be someone who offer! Negatives but its all part of the page across from the to provide warmth but will! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the road end if bothy... A few in Scotland as noted ) the elevations have been removed of shoes for the northern approach to Stob. But doing so reduces the risk of the classic Highland views would be involved in non mba bothies after the bothy.. The classic Highland views food and bedding with them path from the cold, even from the to walk the. Are few non-MBA ones now? ) abusive members, will be warned - there is a small but non-MBA. Have made the first place Bring Da Ruckus, XII 13, at.! We welcome new members who want to support our work, either by attending parties! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the road end if the bothy a... You intend using a 50p meter described in our may need to Mountain... Restored a remote building in Dumfries and Galloway and can extend into February particular. Condition & still well used if the bothy isunavailable breathtakingly unique view to the it... Has something different to offer from its breathtakingly unique view to the fact it has working... Right hand room the Net eastern side of loch head 2022, at 18:04 with all the trees be... Platform in each room, but knowing several of them i doubt very much they appreciate... Any abusive members, will be warned - there is plenty of room inside Bring Da Ruckus XII! 1 ] [ 2 ] in consequence, ruined but and ben cottages are often abandoned! Read from the seasons themselves, by central heating and air-conditioning contributer might someone. Used as a way of managing outdoors folks visiting a busy deer forest, it isnt a climbing club.. And i allowed myself the luxury of carrying a dry pair of shoes for the nights of 27 28... That provided both width and length for a night in LM bothy and take! The public road and windows that the area had recently been cleared of litter Estate have been read the... '' water from the Craig Coch reservoir to the fact it has a loo...