What a Bothy Really Is

A bothy is a simple shelter, often a former cottage, shepherd’s dwelling, or estate building, kept open for anyone to use. There is no warden, no booking system, and no charge. You might find a fireplace, a sleeping platform, a table, and perhaps a spade. You will not find a shower, a plug socket, or any guarantee of space. Bothies are shared by walkers, climbers, cyclists, and canoeists. The only rule that truly matters is respect: for the building, the landscape, and the next person through the door.

Because bothies are free, they can be misunderstood. They are not campsites with walls, nor are they emergency hotels. They are shelters of last resort and first choice, depending on the weather and your plans. Treating them well is what keeps them open.

The Bothy Code in Practice

The bothy code is short: leave the place as you found it, or better. In practice, that means thinking about other people before you think about your own comfort. A few simple habits make a huge difference.

• First come, first served. Never reserve a bothy by leaving kit on a bunk. If it is full, be ready to camp nearby.
• Keep groups small. A party of eight or ten can fill a small bothy and overwhelm its water supply and fire. Split up or camp outside.
• Share the space. Make room for late arrivals if you safely can. Do not hog the fire, the table, or the best sleeping spot.
• Keep noise down. Voices, music, and banging doors carry in quiet glens. Other users may have walked all day and need rest.
• Stay only a night or two. Bothies are for passing through, not for long holidays or base camps.

Bring Your Own Fuel and Light

Never assume there is fuel at a bothy. Even if you find a stack of wood, it may be damp, treated, or left for emergencies. Carry in what you plan to burn: a few kilos of smokeless coal, kiln-dried logs, or a small gas stove if open fires are not appropriate. Do not burn plastic, rubbish, green wood, or treated timber. They create toxic fumes and leave a mess that the next walker has to deal with.

Fire safety is serious. Keep flames contained in the stove or fireplace. Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure embers are fully out before you sleep or leave. In dry spells, check for local fire warnings and be prepared to go without a fire altogether. Carbon monoxide is a real risk in small, sealed rooms, so keep a window or vent open if you are burning anything.

Lighting matters too. Bring a head torch and spare batteries. Candles are a fire hazard and can drip wax onto surfaces. Do not rely on someone else’s torch or the dying embers of a fire.

Water, Waste and Washing

Treat all water from streams, burns, or lochs. Boiling is simplest, but a filter or chemical treatment works too. Do not assume that clear water is clean. Collect water downstream of the bothy and away from any toilet or washing area.

Human waste needs care. If the bothy has a toilet, use it, and never put rubbish down it. If there is no toilet, dig a small hole about 15 to 20 centimetres deep, at least 30 metres from any water, and bury your waste. Carry out toilet paper in a sealed bag. Do not leave it in the open or bury it, as animals will dig it up.

Wash well away from water sources. Use a small amount of biodegradable soap, and scatter the grey water rather than pouring it into a burn. Food waste attracts animals and spoils the bothy for everyone. Take all scraps home, including tea bags, eggshells, and fruit peel.

Leave It Tidy for the Next Walker

Before you leave, do a full sweep of the bothy. It is not enough to leave your own corner tidy. Check the whole space, including under bunks, behind doors, and in dark corners. Sweep the floor, wipe down surfaces, and remove every trace of your visit.

• Take all rubbish home. This includes food scraps, packaging, batteries, and broken kit.
• Close shutters, latch doors, and secure windows. This keeps out rain, wind, and animals.
• Return furniture and tools to where you found them, unless they are clearly meant to be moved.
• Take home unused fuel unless it is dry and neatly stored for the next party. Do not leave half-burned rubbish or wet logs.
• Report any damage to the volunteer maintenance group listed on the door or notice board, so it can be fixed.

When to Walk On and Camp Instead

If a bothy is full, do not crowd in. Squeezing more people into a small space risks fire, carbon monoxide, and conflict. Be prepared to camp. A tent gives you your own space and leaves the bothy for those who need it most. If you arrive late and the bothy is busy, pitch nearby and enjoy the quiet.

Large groups should always have a camping backup plan. So should anyone visiting during popular weekends, school holidays, or long dry spells. The best bothy stays are the ones where everyone leaves a little room for kindness, a little fuel for the next person, and no trace of their own visit. That way, the shelter remains what it was meant to be: a simple, shared refuge in the wild.