Renovations being carried out at Dryfehead. Photo: MBA

A charity’s volunteers have spent two years renovating a near derelict shepherd’s cottage to provide a shelter for walkers.

The Mountain Bothies Association has transformed the unsafe building at Dryfehead in the Eskdalemuir Forest into a wind- and waterproof refuge for outdoor enthusiasts.

The renovation was a major project for the charity, which cares for, but does not own, almost 100 rudimentary shelters in Scotland, Wales and England.

An MBA spokesperson said: “The cottage had to be substantially rebuilt both inside and out.

“The cottage is stone-built with a slated roof. It has three rooms. The nearest other MBA maintained shelter in this area is at Over Phawhope, some six miles to the North.”

Dubs Hut. Photo: Alan Stewart CC-BY-SA-2.0

The association has also taken on the maintenance of a bothy on the route to Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell.

Dubs Hut lies in the quarry above the Honister Pass, on the route to Innominate Tarn and Haystacks.

The MBA spokesperson said: “The former mining hut has been used as an open shelter for a number of years. It was at one time maintained by the national park ranger service.

“The hut is close to an existing MBA maintained bothy, Warnscalehead, which is one of the smallest of the association’s bothies.

“Dubs Hut comprises a single room and is a very basic facility. It is a stone-built shelter with a concrete floor and a slate roof. There is no fireplace or stove, nor a sleeping platform or cooking area.”