Shelter From The Storm
Shelter from the Storm
Bothy Usage And Etiquette
By Beau Flemister
Sure, many a horror film have started with some hikers getting lost in the woods, or caught in a storm, then suddenly happen upon a quaint cottage for warm… where they inevitably meet their demise. But c’mon. This is the Scotland, and if you might happen upon one of the dozens of uninhabited stone huts near walking trails across the Highlands and Outer Isles — you’ve probably come to what is known as a bothy.
Should you come across one in the Highlands, review the following code so you don’t look like a complete tourist…
The Bothy Code
RESPECT OTHER BOTHY USERS
Leave the bothy clean and tidy with dry kindling for the next visitors. Be considerate to others passing through bothies.
RESPECT THE BOTHY
Don’t leave graffiti or vandalize the bothy. Take out all rubbish that you can’t burn. Avoid burying rubbish; this pollutes the environment. Don’t leave perishable foods as this attracts vermin. Make sure your fire is out before you leave. Make sure the doors and windows are properly closed when you leave.
Don’t leave graffiti or vandalize the bothy. Take out all rubbish that you can’t burn. Avoid burying rubbish; this pollutes the environment. Don’t leave perishable foods as this attracts vermin. Make sure your fire is out before you leave. Make sure the doors and windows are properly closed when you leave.
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT
If there's no toilet at the bothy, please bury human waste out of site. Use the spade provided, keep well away from the water supply and never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet. Also never cut live wood in the area.
If there's no toilet at the bothy, please bury human waste out of site. Use the spade provided, keep well away from the water supply and never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet. Also never cut live wood in the area.
RESPECT THE ESTATE AGREEMENT
Please observe any restrictions on use of the bothy, for example during stag stalking or at lambing time. Remember bothies are available for short stays only.
Please observe any restrictions on use of the bothy, for example during stag stalking or at lambing time. Remember bothies are available for short stays only.
RESPECT THE NUMBERS
Due to over crowding and lack of facilities, large groups (6 or more) should not use a bothy, nor are bothies available for commercial groups.
Due to over crowding and lack of facilities, large groups (6 or more) should not use a bothy, nor are bothies available for commercial groups.
C.I.C. Memorial Hut
More than just a few coastal bothies, we had the pleasure of staying at the Charles Inglis Clark Memorial Hut while trekking through the legendary Ben Nevis Trails. While the C.I.C. was a bit more swanky than your average bothy, the same code still applies. Accompanied by local mountaineers, Froth Puppy, Drew Smith and Manu Dominquez, revivalists, mind their own as they plan for an early morning climbing route.
