Offering a room with a view in some of the UK’s wildest trail spots, mountain bothies are a free-to-use sanctuary for weary explorers. Maybe you’ve passed one on a past expedition, or perhaps you’re planning an overnight stay on an upcoming adventure? This guide will run you through everything you need to know about one of the best-kept traditions the outdoors has to offer.
What is a Bothy?
A bothy is a free-to-use shelter for outdoor enthusiasts who are exploring remote locations in Scotland, England and Wales – although most bothies reside in the Scottish wilderness. They generally come in the form of old farm cottages and huts that have been restored to provide basic (and we mean basic) accommodation for an overnight stay.
Bothies have been around since the 1930s and their ever-growing population owes a lot to the Mountain Bothies Association, a fantastic charity that maintains over 100 bothies around the UK. Most of the remote buildings are privately owned by landowners who kindly agree to allow explorers to use the facilities on a short-term basis.
What Facilities do Bothies Have?
It’s best to presume that all bothies provide nothing but a roof over your head to shelter you from wind and rain. That way, when you find one with a fireplace, a sink, electricity or sleeping platforms, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The truth is that many bothies have at least some facilities, and the goodwill of fellow adventurers sometimes means that you’ll find basic food or equipment left behind in case you need it. Again, it’s important to remember that nothing is guaranteed and comforts should be carried in.
How to Use a Bothy
Using a bothy is like camping indoors, so you’ll still need to bring all the equipment that you’d be taking if you were staying outside, including a tent! Many bothies get busy, especially in summer, so bringing a tent is vital in case there’s no room at the inn. Here’s a Wild Camping Kit List to help you tick off all the essentials.
When it comes to bothy etiquette, the MBA has an easy-to-follow code that all visitors are asked to adhere to.
Respect other users
Be clean and tidy during your stay and welcome other guests. If there’s a fire, leave some fuel for the next visitors. Try not to disturb another explorer’s sleep – they might have a mammoth climb or hike to get through the next day. It can be a wonderful experience meeting like-minded people at a bothy, so get a brew on and share some stories!
Respect the bothy
Sign the visitor book and make sure to report any accidental damage to the MBA. Burn rubbish or take it with you – don’t bury it! Don’t leave perishable food that could go off and attract 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, bury human waste out of sight using the spade provided. Keep well away from the water supply when burying 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 the 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 to stay longer than a couple of nights.
Respect the Restriction On Numbers
Because of overcrowding and lack of facilities, large groups (6 or more) should not use a bothy. Bothies are not available for commercial groups.
How to find a Bothy
You can find out if there’s a bothy along your route by looking at this map of UK bothies. Grid references are provided and you can also find out what features each bothy has on its page. Take one of our favorites, the Corrour Bothy in the Cairngorms National Park, as an example.
The Best Bothies in the UK
Every bothie has its own unique charm and character, but here are a few that our Instagram followers love the most.
Rubha Hunish (The Lookout), North of Skye - Pete Crossland from The Peak District @petecrossland
It almost felt like it was the last building on the edge of the world, or at least that’s what it feels like to me anyway. Somewhere well away from civilisation and the hustle and bustle of life. A place you can really just switch off and enjoy the sounds of nature and the ocean. You will probably witness THE best sunsets from here, the ones that are “once in a lifetime” if it’s not raining of course. There is also plenty of opportunities to see whales from here too as well as the many birds that frequently pass by. This Bothy is very basic in its amenities with no running water and no toilet, but it is definitely a photographer’s dream up there.
Warnscale Bothy, Lake District – Mark Grindley from Durham @mark_explores
Warnscale Bothy is my favourite because it’s situated at the heart of the Lake District - not too hard to get to. The Bothy is well built from slate & stone with beds inside, food, lights along the ceiling and a little fireplace, plus plenty of hiking supplies if people need. I would recommend this Bothy highly.
Cadair Idris – Lou from Yorkshire @viewswithlou
After battling the horrendous Welsh December weather up to Mundd Mel, we headed over the top to Cadair Idris where we found a wonderful bothy right on the summit. The location is at the actual Cadair Idris summit, you can just about see the trig point in the background. With there being no visibility outside due to such poor weather conditions it was quite dark inside so we sat with our headtorches whilst we made a hot drink; but it's a great little stopping point with benches and a stone table as well as little windows all around. It's not the place where you'd choose to sleep however but it's very handy for a lunchtime stop or in case of emergency shelter, and it was a welcomed site for us as we were soaking wet (even with the waterproofs) and freezing cold in need of a hot drink.
Strathchailleach, Highlands – Ian from York
Ian from York loved staying at the Bothy of Strathchailleach in the far North West on the Scottish Mainland. Ian walked the entire Cape Wrath trail from Fort Willian to Cape Wrath, a total of 330km (205 miles), so stayed at his bothy during his expedition.
Among the reasons Ian enjoyed his stay here was the fact that he accessed the Bothy via Sandwood Bay known for its remote 1-mile long beach. The remoteness of the Bothy appealed to Ian along with the peat fire & the fact that it was lived in for 32 years by a hermit known as Sandy.
Warnscale Bothy, Lake District – Daria from Derbyshire @dlenca
Lovers of Lakeland will have possibly heard of the Warnscale Bothy that is well hidden amongst the slate and stone rubble near the Warnscale Head. The bothy is popular thanks to its breathtaking views of Buttermere and Crummock water, and also it is the best location for chasing summer sunsets and my personal favourite place to be. When you are there you forget about everything in the world and just watch how the colours of the sky is changing, illuminating the valley. P.S. if you head there keep it tidy and leave some marshmallows
Penrhos Isaf, Coed Y Brenin – Pete Harris from Snowdonia @type1_adventurer
Penrhos Isaf Bothy is my favourite bothy in Snowdonia, the walk to it through Coed Y Brenin forest is sublime. It’s a quintessential Welsh building – stonewalled, slate-roofed two up two down. It’s great on a rainy day. Take some wood for the fire, a brew-up kit and relax in the woodland for a while.
