Staying in Remote Bothies Across the Scottish Highlands

What Makes a Bothy Different

A bothy is not a hotel, a hostel, or a campsite. It is a simple shelter, often a former shepherd's cottage or estate building, left unlocked for anyone to use. You might find a fireplace, a wooden platform for sleeping, and a table. You will not find beds, electricity, running water, or a toilet. Some bothies are a short walk from a car park; others demand a long day over rough ground with a heavy pack. The magic lies in that simplicity. You carry everything you need, and you leave nothing behind but footprints and gratitude. In the Scottish Highlands, bothies offer a base for hillwalking, climbing, and quiet micro-adventures far from roads and phone signal.

Plan for the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Before you set out, treat the bothy as the least predictable part of your trip. Check the weather forecast for the hills, not just the nearest town. Highland weather can turn a pleasant glen into a serious proposition within an hour. Study your map and compass; do not rely on a phone. Tell someone reliable where you are going and when you expect to return. If you are crossing a river, know that heavy rain can make fords impassable. Check access rights and any seasonal restrictions, such as deer stalking in autumn, by looking at local signs or asking at a ranger station. Arrive with daylight to spare. The last thing you want is to be hunting for a bothy in the dark with a headtorch fading.

What to Carry and What to Leave at Home

Your kit should keep you warm, dry, and self-sufficient. A bothy provides walls and a roof, nothing more. Pack as if you were camping, with a few extras for comfort.

• Sleeping bag and mat: Even in summer, stone floors and Highland nights are cold. A three-season bag and an insulated mat are essential.
• Stove and fuel: Do not assume you can light a fire. Wood may be scarce or sodden. A small gas or meths stove lets you cook and make hot drinks.
• Food and water: Carry all your food, plus a little extra. Water can often be taken from a nearby stream, but filter or boil it if you are unsure.
• Headtorch and spare batteries: Bothies are dark. A headtorch keeps your hands free for cooking and sorting gear.
• Warm layers and dry socks: You will get wet. Dry clothes in a drybag make the evening civilised.
• Toilet trowel and bags: There are no facilities. Bury human waste at least 30 metres from water, and carry out all rubbish, including food scraps and used toilet paper.

Leave behind: drones, radios, and anything that makes noise. Leave the bothy's furniture and fittings alone. Do not take souvenirs.

Sharing a Bothy with Strangers

Bothies are shared spaces. You might have the place to yourself, or you might arrive to find a group already settled. Space is first come, first served, but there is always room for one more. Be flexible. If the main room is full, use a side room or pitch a tent nearby. Keep noise down after dark. Do not claim a whole platform with your kit. Introduce yourself, offer a brew, and respect others' privacy. If someone is clearly exhausted or wet, give them the best spot near the fire. Dogs are usually allowed but must be under control and never left to bother others. Remember that everyone is there for the same reason: quiet, shelter, and a night out of the wind.

Skills for a Warm, Dry Night

Small skills make a big difference. If there is a fireplace and a supply of dead wood, use it sparingly. Never cut live trees or strip bark. Keep fires small and contained; a roaring blaze can crack stonework and smoke out the room. If you use candles for light, place them on a metal plate and never leave them unattended. Damp boots can be dried by stuffing them with newspaper or dry socks and placing them near, not in, the fire. Midges can be fierce in summer, so keep the door closed and use a headnet. To stay warm, eat a hot meal before bed, do not sleep in the clothes you wore all day, and fill a water bottle with hot water to use as a hot water bottle. In the morning, sweep the floor, wipe surfaces, and take all your rubbish with you.

Leaving It Better Than You Found It

The future of bothies depends on everyone treating them with care. Before you leave, check under bunks and behind doors for forgotten items. Close the door firmly to keep out wind and rain. If there is a log book, write a short note about your stay and any maintenance needed. Report damage or missing equipment to the volunteer group that looks after the bothy, but do not try to fix complex problems yourself. Carry out more than you carried in if you find litter. And when you walk away, look back at that small stone building and know you have been part of a long tradition of quiet shelter in the hills. That is the real reward of a remote bothy night.