The MBA's volunteers carry out regular maintenance on bothies in its care
The charity that cares for more than 100 mountain shelters in Britain has warned that some will be out of use over the next three months while maintenance takes place.
The Mountain Bothies Association released a list of 11 refuges which could be closed to visitors while work takes place.
Restricted space will be available at one other while re-roofing is undertaken. The association said walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared to camp during the periods of maintenance, which begin in April.
An MBA spokesperson said: “Inevitably, this will mean that there will have to be restrictions on use at some, but not all, of these bothies while the work is being undertaken, and intending users should be prepared to camp while this essential maintenance is taking place.
“As much information as possible will be posted on the association’s website but it is not, of course, possible to be totally precise in advance about how usage of individual bothies might be affected.
“It is also possible that there could be minor changes to the work party dates that have been announced, and other projects are likely to be added to the programme in due course.”
Bothies affected are:
- Greensykes, 1-3 April
- Rowchoise, 2-3 April
- Gorton, 8-10 April
- Suileag, 11-13 April
- Warnscale Head, 13-15 April
- Tomsleibhe, 16 April-1 May (re-roofing so bothy will be unavailable)
- Strathchailleach, 22-26 April
- Brattleburn, 23-24 April
- Haughtongreen, 30 April-2 May
- The Schoolhouse, 14-15 May
- Kearvaig, 3-6 June.
The MBA said the bothy at Over Phawhope is also to be re-roofed with the work taking place either during the last week in April or the first week in May. Accommodation there will be very limited while work is taking place.
The charity has about 3,800 members and, with the consent and support of their owners, 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.
The association currently looks after 101 bothies. All of the restoration and maintenance work is undertaken by volunteers and is financed by member subscriptions and by donations.
