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==[[What is a bothy?]]==
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[[Image:Lairig_Leacach_Bothy.jpg|thumb|Lairig Leacach Bothy]]
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==[[The Mountain Bothies Association's Bothy Code]]==
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In the United Kingdom a '''bothy''' is a simple shelter, generally left unlocked and available for anyone to use without charge. Bothies are to be found in remote, mountainous areas of Scotland, Northern England and Wales: they are particularly common in the Scottish Highlands (bothy may be a corruption of the Gaelic ''botan'' meaning small hut or possibly the Welsh term ''bwthyn'' also meaning small cottage, it could also be from Norse ''būð'', cognate with English ''booth'' with a diminutive ending).
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'''Respect Other Users'''
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Please leave the bothy clean, tidy and with dry kindling for the next visitors.
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Generally speaking, most bothies are formerly ruined buildings that have been restored to a basic standard, providing a windproof and watertight shelter. They vary in size from little more than a large box up to two-storey cottages. They usually have designated sleeping areas. Commonly, these are either an upstairs room or a raised platform, thus allowing one to keep clear of cold air and draughts at floor height. No bedding, mattresses or blankets are provided.  Public access to bothies is either on foot or by bicycle.
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'''Respect the Bothy'''
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Most bothies have a fireplace, and are near a natural source of water. A spade is provided to bury excrement.
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Guard against fire risk and don't cause vandalism or graffiti.
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[[Image:Bothy-code.jpg|thumb|The Bothy Code, seen at Tarf Bothy]]
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Please take out all rubbish which you don't burn.
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Avoid burying rubbish: this pollutes the environment.
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Please don't leave perishable food, this encourages mice and rats.
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'''Respect The Surroundings'''
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Although free, use of bothies is to some extent governed by an unwritten "bothy etiquette":
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Human waste must be buried carefully out of sight. Please use the spade provided.
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*Fuel for the fire should be brought, or if fuel stored in the bothy is used, more should be gathered to replace what is used. Many bothies are located far from any trees, though peat may provide an alternative fuel. However, peat digging is likely to be discouraged to protect the local landscape and ecology.
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For health reasons never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet.
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*The fire is to be used for warmth, not cooking, and a stove should be brought.
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Keep well away from the water supply.
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*Candles are usually to be found, as with fuel these should be replaced if used.
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Conserve fuel. Never cut live wood.
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*All rubbish (except excrement, which should be buried) should be carried out
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*When visiting the toilet ensure that a location away from any watercourse is used.
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*Large groups and long stays are to be discouraged – bothies are intended for small groups on the move in the mountains.
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'''Please Note'''
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Bothies are usually owned by the landowner of the estate on which they stand, though the actual owner is rarely involved in any way, other than by permitting their continued existence. Most are maintained by an organisation known as the [[Mountain Bothies Association]] (MBA), who look after around 100 bothies.
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Bothies are available for short stays only. Permission should be obtained for longer visits.
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The location of bothies is not publicised widely – prior knowledge and word of mouth are often the only way of finding a bothy. (However, the Bothies Wiki hopes to change this.)
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Unless the safety of the group requires the use of shelter in bad weather, bothies are not available for groups of 6 or more because of overcrowding and the lack of facilities such as toilets.
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For the same reasons groups are asked not to camp outside bothies.
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Groups wishing to use a bothy should seek permission from the estate.
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Finally, please ensure the fire is out and the door properly closed when you leave.
 
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'''Bothies are used at your own risk'''
 
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==[[Bothies by Area]]==
==[[Bothies by Area]]==
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'''Please add more!'''
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'''[[Northern Highlands]]'''
'''[[Northern Highlands]]'''
*[[Achnanclach]]
*[[Achnanclach]]

Current revision as of 20:36, 27 April 2007

Welcome to the Bothies Wiki.
We are currently editing 20 articles, and you can help

About this wiki | New pages | Categories | Wiki tutorial | Help pages

A knowledge base for everything related to the British wilderness shelters!

This is a wiki for you to find or deposit knowledge about bothies. There has never been an online resource for bothies before, in fact the only way that you could really find out about bothies was by word of mouth. This wiki has been set up to be made by the people who visit them.

To add a new bothie or write a new article, enter the page title in the box below.

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What is a bothy?

Lairig Leacach Bothy

In the United Kingdom a bothy is a simple shelter, generally left unlocked and available for anyone to use without charge. Bothies are to be found in remote, mountainous areas of Scotland, Northern England and Wales: they are particularly common in the Scottish Highlands (bothy may be a corruption of the Gaelic botan meaning small hut or possibly the Welsh term bwthyn also meaning small cottage, it could also be from Norse būð, cognate with English booth with a diminutive ending).

Generally speaking, most bothies are formerly ruined buildings that have been restored to a basic standard, providing a windproof and watertight shelter. They vary in size from little more than a large box up to two-storey cottages. They usually have designated sleeping areas. Commonly, these are either an upstairs room or a raised platform, thus allowing one to keep clear of cold air and draughts at floor height. No bedding, mattresses or blankets are provided. Public access to bothies is either on foot or by bicycle.

Most bothies have a fireplace, and are near a natural source of water. A spade is provided to bury excrement.

The Bothy Code, seen at Tarf Bothy

Although free, use of bothies is to some extent governed by an unwritten "bothy etiquette":

  • Fuel for the fire should be brought, or if fuel stored in the bothy is used, more should be gathered to replace what is used. Many bothies are located far from any trees, though peat may provide an alternative fuel. However, peat digging is likely to be discouraged to protect the local landscape and ecology.
  • The fire is to be used for warmth, not cooking, and a stove should be brought.
  • Candles are usually to be found, as with fuel these should be replaced if used.
  • All rubbish (except excrement, which should be buried) should be carried out
  • When visiting the toilet ensure that a location away from any watercourse is used.
  • Large groups and long stays are to be discouraged – bothies are intended for small groups on the move in the mountains.

Bothies are usually owned by the landowner of the estate on which they stand, though the actual owner is rarely involved in any way, other than by permitting their continued existence. Most are maintained by an organisation known as the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), who look after around 100 bothies.

The location of bothies is not publicised widely – prior knowledge and word of mouth are often the only way of finding a bothy. (However, the Bothies Wiki hopes to change this.)


Bothies by Area

Please add more!

Northern Highlands

North West Highlands and Islands

West Highlands and Islands

South West Highlands and Islands

Central Highlands

Eastern Highlands

Southern Scotland

Northern England and Borders

Wales

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