A bothy is a “wee shelter” in the middle of nowhere in Scotland. Typically, these are old farmers’ or shepherds’ houses re qualified by the mountain bothy association. Bothies are generally located in very remote areas and, most of the time, you need maps (click here for the bothy map) or geographical coordinates to locate them.

Please note that “When going to a bothy, it is important to assume that there will be no facilities. No tap, no sink, no beds, no lights, and, even if there is a fireplace, perhaps nothing to burn. Bothies may have a simple sleeping platform, but if busy you might find that the only place to sleep is on a stone floor. You will need to make your own arrangement for water and should be aware that there may not be a suitable supply near the bothy. If there is no fire then on a cold night you may have trouble staying warm. The great majority of nights in Britain are on the cool side and remember that most bothies are up in the hills. Few bothies have toilet facilities apart from a spade and the advice is that you should walk at least a couple of hundred metres from the bothy and 60metres from the water supply before excavations and evacuations commence. If all this sounds rather rough, you are beginning to get the picture. Your comforts have to be carried in.” (source MBA)

Does that sound ok to you? Then you are ready for your bothy experience! Please do not forget to respect other people, the bothy and the surroundings…