If you have ever visited a bothy and wondered who fixes the roof, repairs the windows and keeps the rain out, you can find out now as John D. Burns talks to Fin and Kevin Campbell, a father and son team who together keep a bothy together. Many bothies are maintained by the volunteers of the Mountain Bothies Association, a charity that maintains remote shelters across the UK.
To find out more visit the Mountain Bothies Association website for all you need to kno0w about visiting these iconic places.
Fin on a bothy adventure.
Kevin and his bothy –Ryvoan
Bothy Code
The Bothies maintained by the MBA are available by courtesy of the owners. Please respect this privilege.
Please record your visit in the Bothy Log-Book.
Note that bothies are used entirely at your own risk
Respect Other Users
Please leave the bothy clean and tidy with dry kindling for the next visitors. Make other visitors welcome and be considerate to other users.
Respect the Bothy
Tell us about any accidental damage. Don’t leave graffiti or vandalise the bothy. Please take out all rubbish which you can’t burn. Avoid burying rubbish; this pollutes the environment. Please don’t leave perishable food as this attracts vermin. Guard against fire risk and ensure the fire is out before you leave. Make sure the doors and windows are properly closed when you leave.
Respect the Surroundings
If there is no toilet at the bothy please bury human waste out of sight. Use the spade provided, keep well away from the water supply and never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet.
Never cut live wood or damage estate property. Use fuel sparingly.
Respect Agreement with the Estate
Please observe any restrictions on use of the bothy, for example during stag stalking or at lambing time. Please remember bothies are available for short stays only. The owner’s permission must be obtained if you intend an extended stay.
Respect the Restriction On Numbers
Because of over crowding and lack of facilities, large groups (6 or more) should not use a bothy.
Bothies are not available for commercial groups.
