Ruighe Ealasaid, the Red House. Photo: MBA
A new bothy has opened in the southern Cairngorms after volunteers completed renovations on the building.
Ruighe Ealasaid – the Red House – stands beside the Geldie Burn on the Mar Lodge Estate west of Braemar.
The Mountain Bothies Association, whose eastern Highlands area volunteers completed the work, said the building is in a prime location for hillwalkers aiming for two munros, An Sgarsoch and Carn an Fhidhleir, at the head of Tarf Water.
Its position, south of White Bridge, is also close to several long-distance routes through the mountains.
MBA chairman Simon Birch said: “I want to thank the volunteers who have made this project happen.
“They have transformed a former shieling which had become derelict and in a dangerous condition into a wind and watertight bothy complete with adjacent toilet facilities. It will be a valuable resource for walkers visiting this remote area, one where poor weather regularly occurs, best instanced by the fact that over the two years of work parties these volunteers have come to the aid of a number of walkers who have found themselves in difficulties.
“We are extremely grateful to the owners of the building, the National Trust for Scotland Mar Lodge Estate, for allowing us to undertake the project and for the considerable practical assistance that they provided.”
The association said the only part of the renovation not carried out by MBA volunteers was the stabilisation of the walls and chimney which required specialist masonry work.
It said it believed that Ruighe Ealasaid was built in the late 1700s or early 1800s, most probably as accommodation for a shepherd. It fell out of use in the first half of the 20th century and over the years became an informal bothy.
It was used in this way until the 1960s and gradually became increasingly derelict. It got its name, the Red House, from its corrugated iron roof which rusted.
The MBA, a charity established in 1965, has about 4,000 members. It undertakes the restoration and maintenance of old cottages, huts and similar buildings throughout Great Britain for use as open shelters for walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Outdoor enthusiasts can stay overnight in the buildings free of charge, in accordance with the Bothy Code.
