The Greensykes bothy during renovation. Photo: Peter McDermott CC-BY-SA-2.0

A bothy is now available for walkers and cyclists after volunteers spent months renovating the building.

Greensykes has been taken into the care of the Mountain Bothies Association for use by visitors to Eskdalemuir Forest in the Scottish Borders.

The remote shelter, 6km (3¾ miles) north-east of the village of Eskdalemuir has been used as an open shelter for a number of years.

A spokesperson for the MBA said: “Its owner was keen that it should continue to be available for use by walkers and cyclists.

“Its adoption by the MBA will ensure that this continues to be the case.

“We are grateful to the owner for agreeing that the MBA should assume responsibility for its future maintenance.”

The stone-built building has three rooms and has been renovated by MBA volunteers over the last few months.

New flooring has been installed, along with wall cladding, ceilings and a sleeping area. The MBA, which does not generally take over ownership of the bothies, but agrees to care for them, warned there is no toilet at Greensykes.

The Mountain Bothies Association was established in 1965 and undertakes the restoration and maintenance of a number of old cottages, huts and similar buildings throughout the wilder parts of Scotland, England and Wales for use as open shelters for walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Many of the buildings that are cared for by the MBA would otherwise have become derelict