If you’re a fan of remote, wild landscapes and enjoy a break from Wi-Fi, you’re in for a treat—bothies are free-to-use, no-frills shelters scattered across the UK’s most remote spots. Typically old farm buildings or cottages, these humble huts offer shelter to weary hikers, minus the fancy stuff (think: no electricity, no running water, and definitely no room service).
But finding a bothy, and more importantly, using one without annoying everyone, requires a bit of know-how. Let’s dive in.
What is a Bothy, Anyway?
A bothy is a basic shelter, often maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), offering a place to rest in the wilderness. They’re perfect for when you’re caught in a storm—or just can’t bear another night in a damp tent. Just don’t expect a spa treatment; a fireplace and a roof over your head are as luxurious as it gets.
How to Find Bothies
Bothies are meant to be off-the-beaten-path, so there won’t be any neon signs. Here’s how to track one down:
1. Join the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA)
MBA is your best friend here. They look after most of the bothies and provide a map for members. Join up, access their list, and voilà, secret bothy locations are yours!
2. Guidebooks Are Gold
Grab yourself a guidebook like The Scottish Bothy Bible or The Ultimate Bothy Bible. These provide routes, coordinates, and other nuggets of wisdom to make sure you don’t accidentally spend the night in a sheep shed.
3. Ask Fellow Adventurers
Want to feel like you’re in on a secret club? Join online hiking communities or forums where bothy tips are whispered quietly. Just don’t share bothy spots with everyone—nobody wants these places overcrowded.
4. Get Out Your Maps
Dust off your Ordnance Survey maps and look for remote buildings in the middle of nowhere. Cross-check with MBA info or guidebooks, and you’re set.
The Bothy Code: AKA, Don’t Be a Bothy Bandit
Bothies are free to use, but with great freedom comes great responsibility. Enter: The Bothy Code, a set of guidelines to keep bothies a cosy space for fellow hikers to enjoy.
1. Share the Space
Bothies are communal. If you’re first in, don’t hog the place - leave room for late comers. And if it’s full when you arrive, don’t wedge yourself in. Be prepared to camp nearby if needed.
2. Leave No Trace
Take everything with you when you leave, including your rubbish. That half-eaten tin of beans doesn’t count as “supplies for the next person.”
3. Fire with Care
If there’s a fireplace, use deadwood or bring your own fuel. You’re not Bear Grylls, so don’t chop down the nearest tree or strip the area of twigs. And make sure any fires are well and truly out before you leave.
4. Clean Up After Yourself
Sweep the floor, tidy up, and leave the bothy better than you found it. Take yours and any other rubbish away with you.
5. Short Stays Only
Bothies are for short-term use, not your base camp for an eight day nature retreat. One or two nights max, then move along so others can enjoy the space. There are often visitors books for you to leave a note about your stay.
6. Respect the Outdoors
Bothies are in delicate environments, so treat the surroundings like you’re a guest in nature’s living room. Stick to paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and, for the love of all things green, don’t leave your mark on the landscape.
And lastly… Embrace the Bothy Life
Bothies offer a unique, rugged experience. They’re a refuge for the weather-beaten and a cosy spot to share stories with fellow hikers. But a word to the wise: the bothy charm lies in keeping them simple and well-kept. So follow the code, enjoy your stay, and leave it as you’d want to find it—tidy, peaceful, and maybe with a little kindling by the fireplace.
Happy adventuring, and may your bothy nights be warm and your snorers few!
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