Dreaming of hiking in Scotland but put off by mosquitoes and bad weather? A cabin could be the answer.
Cottages are small, isolated cottages that were originally built as accommodation for temporary agricultural workers. There are around 100 in the UK, mostly in Scotland, although there are also some in the north of England and Wales.
The simple shelters are now open to all hikers who need four walls and a roof for the night. And they are free of charge.
How does it work and what is it like to stay in them? Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), a volunteer organisation that maintains shelters, and Dr Kat Hill, author of ‘Bothy, in search of a simple shelter‘.
They reveal that cabin guests must be prepared to sleep on the floor, that few cabins have sanitary facilities – “apart from a shovel” – and that An unexpected extra guest could lead to a ‘whiskey drink and sing’…
MailOnline speaks to Dr Kat Hill (pictured above), author of ‘Bothy – In Search of Simple Shelter’ to hear her top tips for using the UK’s remote shelters known as ‘bothies’.
The huts, which are usually small, isolated cabins, were originally built as accommodation for temporary agricultural workers. Now, the shelters are open to all hikers who need four walls and a roof for the night. Pictured is the Maol Bhuidhe Hut, one of Kat’s favourites.
Without modern conveniences
He The MBA explains that “it is important to assume that there will be no facilities,” adding that there will be “no tap, no sink, no beds, no lights, and, even if there is a fireplace, perhaps nothing to burn.”
She continues: ‘Bothies may have a simple sleeping platform, but if they are occupied the only place to sleep may be on a stone floor.
‘Few huts have sanitary facilities other than a shovel and the advice is that you should walk at least a couple of hundred metres from the hut and 60 metres from the water supply before digging and evacuation begins.’
Avoid choosing a location that is too remote.
While some cabins are situated well off the beaten track, Kat says first-time visitors should avoid venturing too far. She advises: “I would choose somewhere not too far away, just to get a feel for it and practice taking the right things and the right amount. There are plenty of cabins that aren’t too far away.”
Get ready to share
Kat says: ‘Unlike booking a spot or even having your own tent, you can’t plan who will be in a cabin and you can’t make a reservation, so it’s important to be prepared to get on with whoever is there. Be prepared for people to turn up at any time and for there to be a bit of singing, conversation and a shot or two of whiskey!’
Are they creepy?
Kat says: “There are lots of ghost stories about haunted lodges – the Grey Man, for example, in the Cairngorms or Ben Alder Cottage. One night when I was staying alone in a lodge, it was a bit of a shock to see a light coming in the pouring rain, but in the end, it was a really lovely man from Glasgow walking along the west coast of the UK and it actually made the lodge more welcoming to have someone there.”
Don’t forget a spare tent
Cabins can be very popular in peak season and there may not be room for everyone who shows up. Kat says, “Always bring a spare tent though in case a cabin is full.”
While some cabins have a wooden sleeping platform, travelers should be prepared to sleep on the floor, along with any other guests who may show up. Pictured above is the Ryvoan cabin.
Dr. Kat Hill’s book ‘Bothy: A New Memoir About Adventures in the Wilderness in Search of Simple Shelter’ is available at Amazon and other leading book platforms
Pack the right things
Kat says: ‘Simple things can make a difference: remembering to drink enough water and water purification tablets or liquid, having warm base layers and nutritious snacks.
‘For the cabin, check beforehand if there will be fuel you can collect from the ground or dead wood.’
Respect the ‘Bothy code’
The MBA has a Code of Conduct for shelters that all hikers must follow while using them. “There is no one at shelters to pick up after you,” says Kat, adding that hikers should remember to “take out what you take in” and “leave no trace” of their presence. Hikers can also check shelter opening times on the MBA website. Some shelters are closed during Scotland’s deer hunting season.
Stay in official shelters
Kat says: “There’s an unofficial cabin I know people stay in called Iron Lodge, quite close to Glomach Falls. I went with my friend but I didn’t really feel like staying. It’s still full of old furniture, ironing boards, kitchen utensils, the windows are broken and the place has a pretty creepy feel to it.”
The best cabin?
Kat says: “There are so many places that are stunning, but I love Maol Bhuidhe in Wester Ross for several reasons. It’s a stunning location, far from anywhere, and you get a sense of the majesty of the mountains and the drama of the Scottish landscape.
“It was a long walk, but it was worth it, and the weather was splendid. But I also found the history interesting, as with so many cabins, and the stories of the families who lived here until the 20th century.”
All official huts are listed on the MBA website, along with a helpful guide to each lodge’s facilities. Visit www.mountainbothies.org.uk.