The Dubs Hut lies close to the path leading to Hay Stacks from Honister. Photo: MBA
A ‘soulless and unwelcoming’ former mining hut in the Lake District has been transformed into a more welcoming shelter for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Mountain Bothies Association has completed restoration of the Dubs Hut near Honister.
The charity said the hut, 1,600ft up on the slopes of Fleetwith Pike above Honister Pass, is one of the national park’s highest open shelters.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “When we first became involved, the building could best be described as soulless and unwelcoming with a roof that leaked heavily and with no fire or cooking facilities.
“Our volunteers have put in many days of hard work restoring the stonework and making the bothy more accommodating, including fitting a new stove. As always, we are hugely grateful for their efforts.
“The final part of the project, to reslate the roof, has now been completed. We would like to thank Northern Roofing Services of Carlisle who provided two professional slaters to do this work and who have assured us that the new roof will withstand all that the weather can throw at it.
Workers reslate the roof. Photo: MBA
“We would also like to thank the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust who generously donated funding towards the cost of the project, and to Caterite who donated refreshments for our volunteers.”
Dubs Hut is owned by Honister Slate Mine Company and has served as an open shelter for walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts for some years. The MBA expressed its gratitude to the Honister mine which provided slates for the restoration and provided help during the restoration.
The hut is next to a well trodden path which allows access to Innominate Tarn, Hay Stacks and many other high Lakeland fells.
The Mountain Bothies Association charity was established in 1965 and has about 3,800 members.
With the consent and support of their owners, it undertakes the restoration and maintenance 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.
The association currently looks after 103 bothies. The restoration and maintenance work is mostly undertaken by volunteers and is financed by member subscriptions and by donations.
