Bothies

The Lookout

Most of the bothies below are places where I have spent at least one night. The exceptions are Rowchoish and Ollisdale, which I just popped into for a while.

Mosedale Cottage

This is the only bothy I have stayed at in England. The first time was to see in the Millennium. There were several there on that occasion.

On my second visit in July 2013 arriving via the old corpse road and returning via Branstree and Selside Pike. On this occasion, I had the place to myself and spread my sleeping kit out in the middle of the main room. Go to page:

White Laggan

I stayed a night at White laggan back in the nineties - in the days of film cameras and I have "borrowed" this picture, which was my favourite when doing a quick google search. It was part of a 3-4 day walk in some painful Asolo boots where the heel cup would dig into the back of the ankle. I should have taken them back to the shop due to a manufacturing defect but just threw them out in the end.

My memories are of a nice clean bothy with an upstairs sleeping area.

Back Hill of Bush

Part of the same trip as White Laggan. I remember reading comments in the bothy book about people removing the tongue and groove panelling and other wooden parts for fuel. This bothy seems to have suffered more than most from raves and parties. Someone probably provided them with the forestry keys to give them motorised access.

I believe that this bothy has since closed.

Again, the photograph was obtained via Google Images.

Glengarrisdale

Unusually, no hills included in this bothy trip but a walk across wet, pathless terrain, falling into a bog and picking up 20 plus ticks. Lovely two roomed bothy with sleeping platforms. I hope to return one day; maybe before the tick season!

Rowchoish

Despite the statement at the top of the page, I did not actually spend the night in this one. I biked out with my son and my wife's nephew to check out the bothy. Large ticks were dropping onto us from the trees above. Being so large, they were detected before they bit us. Several people were in residence. This is perhaps more of a byre than a bothy. Maybe, one winter, I'll go and spend the night there.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Abyssinia

This bothy opened in 2017. It is an easy bike ride to the bothy and when I visited it at the end of June 2018, It was easy to cross the Kinglass water and keeping my feet dry, even in non-waterproof approach shoes.

A SSE vehicle kindly took my logs, kindling and coal up to the bothy, actualy placing it inside the bothy, next to the stove. Due to the hot weather, I only used about a third,leaving the rest for someone else to enjoy, possibly on a cold and wet evening.

Abyssinia was used as a base to bag five Corbetts in the area. While staying at the bothy, it was suggested to me that it would make a good base to climb Ben Vane.

Allt Coire a’Chearcaill bothy (Carn Mairg)

I stayed in this very clean bothy during a hot and sunny period of July 1999. I remember it looking in better shape than it appears in this photograph. I think they had done some recent work on it and it has since weathered. The Chesthill Estate discourages the use of the estate buildings but I found it unlocked, so I bedded down there for the night rather than bivvying outside.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Loch Con

This is a non-MBA in a lovely location. Fuel is available nearer to the road. I would imaginethat it might be a little draughty in bad weather though most of the gaps have been sealed with masking tape. There are no sleeping platforms but plenty of benches and tables. Also a large open fireplace. It is very quick and easy to get to on a bike, without too much ascent. I carried in water as I did not fancy taking "still" water from the loch or its outlet.

I stayed here on the nights of 5th and 6th May 2017, using it as a base for bagging some hills around Glen Lyon.

Tomsleibhe

A nice track into this one and I allowed myself the luxury of carrying a dry pair of shoes for the evening. It was a bit damp during my stay but still braved the cold burn for a bit of refreshing skinny-dipping.

I used Tomsleibhe as a base to climb Beinn Talaidh, which was a Corbett at the time.

Cadderlie

This was my first MBA work party, though I arrived to find that most of the work had been done and there were already too many workers for the tasks in hand. It was very interesting to sit in on an area meeting, which left me feeling that I should become more involved with the MBA.

The first night I camped down near to the loch to keep out of the way before moving up to the bothy for the nights of 9th and 10th April 2017, using Cadderlie as a base for Beinn Trilleachan.

Taigh Seumas a' Ghlinne

This is a fine bothy with sleeping platforms. I do like to sleep up out of the dirt, if possible.

My stay followed an ascent of Froachaig, starting from Ballachulish.

Historical note from the MBA website: "The bothy was the birthplace of James Stewart (James of the Glen) who was hung at Cnap a'Chaolais near Ballachulish in 1752 for the murder of Colin Campbell (the Red Fox), an official of the British Government- a murder that he did not commit. This event formed the basis of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, Kidnapped."

Resourie

One of my favourites and in one of my favourite parts of Scotland. Hidden amongst the trees, I first visited this bothy in 1998 as a base to climb Carn na Nathrach. I returned in 2006 as a base for Stob a'Bhealach an Sgriodain (Druim Tarsuinn). Very quiet bothy.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Essan

Another of my favourites. This lies close to the A830 but the other side of Loch Eilt, requiring walking in from the end of the loch. For both my visits, I have walked in from the east end.

My first visit was New Year 1998/9. According to my records, I only climbed Rois-Bheinn on that occasion. I remember dropping down to the Lochailort Hotel for my evening meal and then taking the train back to Essan. I asked the guard if I could be dropped off outside the bothy and he went off to ask the driver. He arrived back to say "Och well, as you are the only passenger on the train". While it had not been a very nice day, It was a beautiful evening with lots of cut silver birch by the side of the railway line and dry grass as tinder. I go a roaring fire going but dry silver birch burns a bit too fast and the flames died down at about a quarter to midnight so I withdrew to my sleeping bag and was asleep by the time it turned midnight.

I returned in late April 2000 from where I bagged Sgurr na Ba Glaise, An Stac, Beinn Mhic Cedidh and Beinn Odhar Bheag.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Carlotta's Eyrie

This is a small but fine non-MBA bothy whose location has always been a reasonably well kept secret! We squeezed five into the bothy with one ending up on the floor. The main bench can be converted (through ingenious design) into an extension to the sleeping platform. The stove is a conversion from a Calor Gas cylinder and works a treat!

Loch Chiarain

I stayed here en route between Leum Uilleum and Glas Bheinn.

Three German lasses camped outside. They seemed to prefer the midges to my body odour.

Meanach

I stayed here for a night during a four-day hike between nights at Loch Chiarain and Lairaig Leacach bothies.

Lairig Leacach

The photograph shows Lairig Leacach bothy from the north-east ridge of Stob Ban (2004). The mountain beyond is Sgurr Innse. A small but very well maintained bothy.

Revisited 2017: Sgurr Innse & Cruach Innse and Stob Coire Easain &
Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin

Duinish

This excellent non-MBA bothy is well hidden amongst the morraine. Linking the tracks on a bike is hard going but it is worth using a bike overall. I used Duinish as a base for Beinn Mholach and Meall na Leitreach during a period of extremely fine weather during April 2015.

Benalder McCooks Cottage

I arrived here after climbing Stob an Aonaich Mhoir and a very hard walk (pushing my bike) from the Loch Ericht Dam.

I stayed for three nights, the first in the room with the stove and then moving my sleeping gear to the lower bunk in the small middle room.

There was two bags of litter in the corner of one of the rooms and assorted foods left in the bothy. Most of the litter was probably combustible but I did not investigate the bags too much.

A couple of tongue and groove panels had been removed from the porch. I thought that this was an act of vandalism but it seems they were removed to check for woodworm.

I used Benalder Cottage as a base for Beinn Bheoil/Ben Alder and Beinn a' Chumhainn/Sgor Gaibhre. (9-12 October 2016)

Luib Chonnal

I stayed in this well maintained bothy during my bagging of the three Carn Deargs. The most homely parts are upstairs - a sort of upside down bothy.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Glenbuck

I visited this bothy after walking over from Luib Chonnal via the two Carn Deargs August 2002.

I walked out to the A82 at Aberchalder and hitched my way back round to Roybridge.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Melgarve

A truly wonderful bothy that is a couple of hundred metres from the car. One can run back for a few luxuries. I used the bothy as a base for Corrieyairack Hill and Gairbeinn. It could also be used as a base for the northern approach to Poite Stob Coire Ardair and Carn Liath.

This is a non-MBA maintained bothy.

Visited May 2015.

Allt Scheicheachan

This is perfectly located for an early ascent of Beinn Dearg before heading east for Beinn Mheadhonhach and Carn a'Chlamain.

Visited August 1993.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Tarf Hotel (Feith Uaine)

Having set off from Allt Scheicheachan and walked to the top of Beinn Dearg, onwards to Beinn Bhreac (Corbett) and rebagging the two Munros, Carn an Fidhleir and An Sgarsoch, I arrived at the Tarf Hotel very tired. A nice, spacious bothy which I had all to myself.

Visited late July 1999 - The best Scottish summer I can remember.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Ruigh Aiteachain

I saw a crested tit during my walk in from the north. I stayed for one night before heading up the Allt Choire Chaoil to Mullach Clach a' Bhlair and on to Sgor Gaoith and descending via the tops of Meall Tionail and Geal Charn which were in fact the main objective of the expedition as they were tops that I had missed on a previous visit.

I plan to revisit the bothy when bagging the Corbetts Leathad an Taobhain, Carn Dearg Mor and Meallach Mhor.

The photograph left was taken during my visit in 2003.

I returned for the nights of 13/14 May 2016. Inside, there is a laminated copy of the architect's drawings for the "upgrading" of the bothy - See slideshow below:

Corrour

I climbed Braeriach, Cairn Toul and The Devil's Point before resting overnight at this popular bothy. The bothy has had a reputation for litter and evidence of people's poor toilet habits but things seemed very clean. I believe that the area had recently been cleared of litter. I remember getting into my sleeping bag and looking up, reading "RATS!" scratched on the ceiling.

My return route went via Carn a' Mhaim and Ben Macdui.

The toilet extension has been added since.

End of July 1995.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

The Shelter Stone

I know that this is not really a bothy but I spent an extremely comfortable night here during the 1999 heatwave. Someone had placed clean, orange survival bags over the floor and the inside seemed bone dry, plus I had a gore-tex bivvy anyway.

This is definitely something to be ticked off during one's mountaineering/hill-walking career.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Hutchinson Memorial Hut

Visited during the heatwave of 1999. This is how I remember the hut. It has now been re-roofed and extended to the front wall.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Ryvoan

I arrived at this lovely, clean bothy having earlier in the day experienced the solar eclipse on Cairngorm. The next morning I made an early ascent of Meall a' Bhuachaille before heading down to Loch Morlich Youth Hostel.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Faindouran

Small bothy with a sleeping platform. It is roomier than the Fords of Avon Refuge.

I stayed in the bothy in August 1995. I revisited the bothy Spring Bank Holiday 1999 but having eaten in the bothy, decided to head up Ben Avon and bivouac in the shelter of the summit tor.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Callater Stable

Used for Carn an t-saigart Mor, Cairn Bannoch and the round-up of some tops 2003.

Gelder Shiel Stable

The bothy is the stables to the right. It is a five star bothy with bunkbeds on the Balmoral Estate. Used for Lochnagar and Conachcraig in August 1999.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Charr

This is probably the cleanest bothy I have stayed in! [Ryvoan was also in exceptionally good condition]. I stayed on the nights of 30 and 31 March 2016.The fireplace has been blocked - the red area behind me in the photograph but it is free from drafts and quite cosy.

The bothy was used strategically for an ascent of Mount Battock.

Corryhully Bothy

I stayed here with a friend as a base for the Corryhully horseshoe (Late December 1994). This non-MBA is unusual in having electricity using a 50p meter.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Gleann Dubh-lighe

I believe that this was a non-MBA bothy at the time and was being maintained by Outward Bound Loch Eil (Let me know if I'm wrong).

It was later adopted by the MBA and was burnt down in 2011. It has now been rebuilt.

It served as an excellent base for Streap and Braigh nan Uamhachan in 2000.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Glen Sulaig Cottage

A weathertight non-MBA bothy improved with a new door, new windows and excellent new fireplace in the right hand room. It could do with a sleeping platform in each room, but still a fine bothy. There is a track most of the way with a soggy path just for the last bit. There is a particularly comfy chair and a footstool to chill out in front of the fire. There is now more (and better) chairs. I did not really notice the fairy lights seen in the video below - probably they have been removed.

I made two trips on the bike: first to take in kiln dried birch logs and coal and the second with my bothy/walking gear.

Used for Meall a'Phubuill and Meall Onfhaidhh April 2017.

A'Chuil

A'Chuil is a fine bothy but there is a serious toilet problem over in the trees with excrement stuck to the side of rocks.

Used in July 2011 for Carn Mor and Bidean a'Chabair.

Sourlies

Sourlies is a very popular bothy well known for its fishing net hammock (which I did not use). I arrived, having traversed Bidean a'Chabair from A'Chuil. I stayed two nights in late July 2011 with an ascent of Ben Aden and Sgurr na Ciche.

Kinbreak

I took refuge in Kinbreak after being taken ill during the descent down the west ridge of Gairich. I made a good recovery while at Kinreak and continued west into Knoydart the following day. That was Spring Bank Holiday week 1994.

I want to return to this bothy when bagging Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr Mhurlagain. Click here.

Photograph obtained via Google Images and modified.

Barrisdale

I stayed here in 1993, when doing Ladhar Bheinn. I stopped for lunch in 2018.

It is unique on this page in that there is a charge for its use - In 2018, there is a charge of £3. Camping is the same charge.

Sleeping platforms
No fireplace

Suardalan

I visited this bothy in 2002. Suardalan up Beinn na h-Eaglaise, Beinn nan Caorach, wild camp in Corie Min, Beinn Sgrithealll and back to Suardalan.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Guirdil

Possibly my favourite of all the bothies. Splendid views across to Sanday and Canna. The area is teeming with wildlife including pufins and wild goats which came down to the seashore in the evening.

In 1997, I explored the modest hills of northern Rhum, spending a night in the bothy before returning to Kinloch via Bloodstone Hill.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Dibidil

I completed the Rhum Cuillin before arriving at Dibidil. I remember seeing a rat when I opened the door, the only time I have seen a rat in a bothy. On the low level walk back to Kinloch, I picked up about 20 ticks. Nice bothy, if it was not for the fauna!

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Maol Bhuide

My first stay was in April 1992 as part of a multi-day trip starting at the Clunie Inn and ending at the Strathcarron Hotel.

I returned in 2001, walking over Sgumain Coinntich and Foachaig in extremely wet weather before arriving at this wonderful bothy. The following day, was an easy day up Beinn Dronaig in fine weather and returning to Maol Bhuidhe for a second night. Here, Beinn Dronaig is to the left while the mountain behind the bothy is Lurg Mor.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Bearnais

I arrived here after a tiring walk from Maol Bhuide via Lurg Mor and Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich in April 1992.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Coire Fionnaraich

Visited in 2002 as a base for An Ruadh-stac and then for Fuar Tholl, Sgorr Ruadh, Beinn Liath Mhor (wild camp at Lochan Uaine), Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine and Sgurr Dubh before spending the night at The Teahouse (see below).

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Easan Dorcha (The Teahouse)

This is a tiny bothy but clean and dry. I used the narrow benches as a bed.

Visited July 2002.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Camasunary

Used in 2007 to ascend the south ridge of Bla Bheinn as I was not sure if I had previously ticked off the south top.

Ollisdale

We detoured to take this in during a walk around the Duirinish Peninsula. It provided shelter from the dreich weather while we ate our lunches.

The Lookout

It is a lovely walk out to The Lookout on good dry paths. found the bothy to be impeccably clean. I took the single top bunk while an Austrian/Belgian couple took the lower double bunk. Two Czech girls were last to arrive and slept on the floor. The fireplace has sadly been blocked off but doing so reduces the risk of the place burning down and results in a cleaner bothy!

Sadly, I did not see any whales or dolphins. Perhaps better to spend two nights and chill out exploring the peninsula below and looking out to sea!

Shenavall

Probably the best known and most photographed of all bothies. The view here with Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag is one of the classic Highland views. I was once told that it is given as a place to stay in the German version of the Michellin guide to Scotland!

My first visit was in 1991 when doing what was then known as the "Fisherfield Six". I returned after ticking of the remaining tops of An Teallach and bagging Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag in July 2001.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Lochivroan

Good bothy with an iron stove. I used it as a base for Creag Rainich (click here) and the Grahams, Groban and Beinn Bheag (click here). It would also be a good base for the eastern pair of Fannichs and some of the Fisherfield Hills.

Coiremor and Maggoo's bothy

This is unusually for having two adjoining bothies. Both provide comfortable accommodation and it is difficult to know which one to use.

I used Coiremor in August 1993, when bagging Seana Bhraigh.

On my return in 2011, I stayed in Magoo's bothy (Non-MBA).

Glenbeg

Arrived from the A835 via Beinn a' Chaisteall. I stayed one night before heading up Carn Ban and on to Magoo's bothy.

There were two buildings being used as bothies but the other one burnt down.

Knockdamph

This is not strategically positioned for the hills but it is worth the bike ride (very rough going) or walk in to visit the bothy. It has proper beds with mattresses but I was afraid that there may be mice nesting in them, so I slept on the floor downstairs. There are often cattle near to the bothy.

The Schoolhouse

I popped in on my way out from Knockdamph but have not stayed the night. Nice and clean but no stove or fireplace.

The Schoolhouse was an MBA project in 2008.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Creag Mohr

I used this bothy as a base for Carn a'Choin Deirg. This is a non-MBA bothy but walkers are welcome by the estate. As it says on their website, "Walkers are welcome to use the bothy. It has been re-roofed and is water and wind proof. There is a fireplace and we try to keep a store of dry timber available, though there are no guarantees. We would though ask anyone who uses it to follow the following simple bothy rules which are posted inside".

See Creag Mohr.

Suileag

I arrived in fine weather, almost stepping on an adder on the way. I could see Suilven through the bothy window, but as it was late afternoon, I decided to leave it to the next day. It was a wet night and the roof leaked, drip, drip into a bucket. The next morning, I could not see Sulven. August 1996.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Glencoul

I stayed at Glencoul bothy following a traverse of Glas Bheinn and before continuing to Beinn Leoid and Glendhu Bothy (2000)

The impressive mountain in the distance is Quinag.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Glendhu

Used after coming down from Beinn Leoid. This is a very sound and sturdy bothy. I walked out to Kylesku after one comfortable night.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Strabeg

I stayed here after climbing Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh in 2000.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Kearvaig

Stayed here some years ago, but cannot quite remember when. My visit is not recorded as I did not climb any hills. From here, I walked to Cape Wrath, down the west coast to Sandwood bay and then inland to Strathan.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Strathan

I visited this bothy as part of my walk around the Cape Wrath coastline.

Photograph obtained via Google Images.

Croft House

I visited this bothy on 11 February 2017. The bothy also goes by the name of Lochstrathy and this name appears on the map.

The approach involves a 12 mile bike ride, initially along a large smooth track that acts as an access road to the wind farm.

Full report.

Place the cursor over the slideshow and use the controls:

Arnaboll

This is not maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. It had not been a part of my plans but due to inclement weather, I decided to tag along with some new friends I met at a Walkhighlands meet at Inchnadamph. I was going to take a look at the bothy and then head off for a wild camp on Sgorr Tuath, but once I saw what a great bothy it is, combined wit the fact that the wet weather was slow to clear, I had to stay the night. I am so glad that I did . Great company in a fantastic bothy. (31 July 2016)