All Mountain Bothies Association buildings remain closed. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

The charity that looks after more than 100 mountain shelters said its buildings would remain shut, despite the imminent easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland and Wales.

The Mountain Bothies Association said the continued closure applied in all three nations where it maintains the shelters.

An association spokesperson said: “With the ‘stay local’ restrictions on travel for recreation and leisure in Scotland and Wales likely to be lifted soon, enabling more people to visit the hills and wild places, we would like to remind everyone that all MBA-maintained bothies are currently closed.

“This applies in Scotland, England and Wales. Please do not visit them.

“Although bothies remain closed for now, we expect to be in a position shortly to make a decision about a return to their responsible use in line with government guidance.”

The charity maintains 105 bothies and two emergency shelters for the use of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. 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.

It currently maintains 86 buildings in Scotland, 12 in northern England and nine in Wales.