Back Hill o' the Bush bothy. Photo: AP Jarrott/Forestry Commission Scotland
Vandalism and misuse of two bothies in southern Scotland have forced a national charity to give up their care of the buildings.
The Mountain Bothies Association said it had taken the decision reluctantly to stop looking after the Back Hill o’ the Bush and Shiel of Castlemaddy buildings in the Galloway Forest Park. Forestry Commission Scotland, which owns the two bothies, will now take them back into its care and is consulting users on their future.
Shiel of Castlemaddy bothy. Photo: APJarrott/Forestry Commission Scotland
Back Hill o’ the Bush is historically important as it was the birthplace of a national bothy maintenance group which led to the eventual formation of the Mountain Bothies Association. FCS said that, because of its history and location, it will continue to maintain the bothy, but the future of the one at Shiel of Castlemaddy is in doubt.
A spokesperson for the Mountain Bothies Association said: “When we took on responsibility for these bothies, they were relatively remote and hard to get to. Over the years, as the Galloway forest has developed, things have changed and these two buildings have become too easy to take a vehicle to.
“This unfortunately has created the conditions for vandalism; the buildings have been damaged and on occasion the perpetrators have made it unpleasant and unwelcoming for others.
Inside the Back Hill o' the Bush bothy. Photo: AP Jarrott/Forestry Commission Scotland
John Arnott, chairman of the MBA said: “Our volunteers in the South of Scotland have worked long and hard over a number of years, repairing damage and maintaining the bothies as a safe place for people to visit, but we have now reluctantly decided, after consultation with the Forestry Commission and other local interests, to relinquish our interest in these two bothies.”
Rob Soutar of Forestry Commission Scotland said: “We have been working with the MBA and the police over a number of years to try and address the issues of misuse at both these bothies.
“Unfortunately we are now at a position where we need to think hard about the future use of the two bothies and we need to have input from hill walkers and the public on a practical way forward.”
Forestry Commission Scotland is seeking the views of hillwalkers and other users of the bothies. An online survey can be found on the FCS website. Closing date for views is 18 March.
FCS said the MBA will continue to maintain two other bothies within the forest park, at White Laggan and Tunskeen.
The Mountain Bothies Association does not own the rudimentary shelters in its care, but maintains and repairs them on behalf of their owners for the use of walkers and mountaineers. The 100 or so bothies in its care are free to use, but walkers can join the association and support its work. A bothy code exists as guidance for their use.
A work party of volunteers is due to fit a new stove and replace a lintel at White Laggan over the Easter period.
Keith Howells
25 June 2010It is with greatv sadness that I read of the fate of 'Backhill o' the Bush' and 'The Shiel'
Out of pure nostalgia I 'googled' Backhill and discovered all the correspondence.
I used to visit 'Backhill' in the late 50's earl 60's - in the days of John Currie (called Saki) a scoutmaster from Lockerbie who I believe was responsible for getting permission to use it from the shepherd family who used to live there.With scouts from Lockerbie Dunfries and Lochmaben. Does anybody remember them? -I would love to hear. In those days I do not remember any trees for miles and any fuel for fires etc had to be dug from the peat and stored indoors to dry for the next users. There was certainly no road access.I remember once spending 'Hogmanay' there, and on another occasion we were sleeping upstairs and heard noises below, and when we went down there was a 'herd' eating his 10 O'clock 'piece' with his dog. We were surprised!
Neil Campbell Ross
02 February 2013My grandfather, John Murray (latterly of Burnfoot Farm, New Galloway), lived at Back Hill o' the Bush as a child (early 1900's). I recall tales (he was quite a storyteller!!) of how he would walk several miles every day, to reach the local primary school. It was, I am sure a very hard life. I visited the property many years ago, when it was in a semi-derelict condition. I was delighted to hear of its renovation, but am saddened to learn that its future again appears uncertain
David Clark
30 April 2014Sad to hear that it may no longer be maintained. When I lived in Dalmellington in the 70's and 80's I used it regularly and have many enjoyable memories of those times!
David Whalley
13 October 2015I have great memories of this place and loved it as my early days as wee laddie it gave me a great love of the bothies and the wild places.
Sad to hear but the memories remain I have written about this on my blog.
Peter
06 November 2019Stayed at Back hill bothy about four years ago! Did an eight mile walk to get there to find it had been completely trashed! Broken furniture, Windows and items thrown in the river nearby! A great pity as this is such a great location! I don't know what the current position is as far as maintenance of the bothy, however maybe The Forestry Commision can stop the vandalism or at least close some of the gates to stop any vehicles gaining access so easily!