Doune bothy near Loch Lomond, with the luxury of chairs!
The Mountain Bothies Association, which cares for shelters used by walkers in some of Scotland’s most remote areas, has seen its membership rise by 11 per cent.
The association maintains 99 bothies across the UK, mostly in Scotland but with a few in the North of England and in Wales. Its volunteers carried out work at 52 of the buildings in the past year.
Two of the bothies, Luib Chonnal and Lairig Leacach, underwent major refurbishment. Most of the buildings are in private ownership but their owners allow them to be used as night shelters by walkers, climbers and cyclists. Groups are restricted to six or fewer and accommodation is rudimentary, usually just the floor to sleep on and a place to light a fire.
Bothies are a fine example of co-operation between landowners and outdoor users. Estate managers often help transport materials to enable MBA volunteers to carry out work on the shelters.
Bothies are available to use by any walker on a first-come, first-served basis. Membership of the MBA is not necessary, but the full list of bothies is only made available to those paying their subs – currently £20 a year – a bargain when you consider the scope for using these shelters in some of Britain’s finest locations.
The MBA points out that, without its volunteers’ work, many of the buildings would have become derelict.
The association has been in existence since 1965. Details of the organisation are on its website.
OMR
09 October 2008It's worth pointing out for those not familiar with the concept of bothies that there is an etiquette involved in using them. It's basic common sense and decency, but that does seem to be lacking sometimes.
Treat other users with respect and remember that a bothy is NEVER too full: you may have to put all the rucksacks outside, but if someone needs in then he or she gets in, even if everyone has to sleep standing up. That's an extreme case, but the weather can be extreme too, so don't be selfish.
If there is a stove or fire (and there isn't one in every bothy) DON'T burn the bothy brush or tear up the seats/floor etc. If there's wood about folk often leave enough to get a fire going, so if someone has, try to do the same.
Don't leave rubbish - and that includes perishable foods (encourages mice) and empty wine bottles, which are NOT required as candle holders.
Most bothies will have a spade - take it for a long walk before you use it: no-one wants to step out of a bothy at night and into someone's crap.
And finally, if I come in, give up your seat and open me a can of beer. I'll hate to take it off you, especially if it's your last, but I'm afraid them's the rules.
Happy bothying ...