Cruib bothy, on the shore of Loch Tarbert

Walkers and outdoor enthusiasts now have access to a second bothy on a Hebridean isle.

The Mountain Bothies Association has taken over the care of the Cruib building on Jura, but the association said the estate which owns the shelter is asking visitors to let them know if they are going to use it during the stalking season.

The bothy, the 79th in Scotland to be taken into the care of the charity, overlooks the eastern end of Loch Tarbert, the inlet that almost bisects the island.

A spokesperson for the association said: “With the agreement and assistance of Ruantallain Estate, an MBA work party earlier this month undertook major work to make the old lodge at Cruib wind- and watertight and available for use as a bothy.

“Although considerable further work has still to be done, the building can now be used by visitors.”

The association already maintains a bothy on Jura at Glengarrisdale.

The spokesperson added: “The association is very grateful to Ruantallain Estate for allowing them to maintain Cruib.

“They point out that the estate stalks stags and hinds during the period July to February and asks intending visitors to let the estate know of plans to visit the bothy during this period.”

The MBA was established in 1965. It has around 4,000 members, 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 charity would otherwise have become derelict. The association currently looks after almost 100 bothies.

All of the restoration and maintenance work is undertaken by volunteers and is financed by members’ subscriptions and by donations.

The Cruib bothy is at NR 566 828.