List of Mountain Bothies Association bothies

are remote, rural cottages that have outlived their original purposes but now are kept unlocked for people to take shelter or stay overnight without charge. They are located mostly in Scotland, with a small number in England and Wales, and have extremely basic facilities - with no electricity, gas, or piped water. The Mountain Bothies Association, established in 1965, is a charity that maintains bothies.

Background

Bothies

are primitive shelters found primarily in Scotland but also in remote parts of Wales and northern England. Highland Scotland has a low density of population by European standards, and in many remote areas the population has declined over the last 200 years due to emigration following the Highland Clearances and the Highland Potato Famine, together with migration to the cities because of industrialisation. In consequence, ruined but and ben cottages are often found abandoned in remote areas. Bothies were built for deer stalking, quarrying, cattle droving and shepherding but these have also fallen out of use.
The owners of these abandoned properties sometimes allow them be used freely by backpackers, climbers and the like – they are simply kept unlocked. There is no charge for use but neither are there any facilities – they have no electricity or piped water supply.

Mountain Bothies Association

The Mountain Bothies Association was established in 1965, becoming a Scottish charity in 1975, to take on the basic care and maintenance of some of these shelters, with the cooperation of the owners who sometimes help financially. The first bothy to be restored was [|Tunskeen]. The organisation has over ninety bothies, mostly in Scotland but with a few in England and Wales all of which may be stayed in without any charges at all. Very rarely is there vehicular access and, in some cases, even those located on the mainland are more directly accessible by boat.
The MBA aims to keep its properties windproof and waterproof so someone checks them a few times a year. At minimum there will be a table and a few chairs, and many bothies have a fireplace or stove although plenty do not. Fuel needs to be carried in – a blazing fire is known as "bothy TV". MBA bothies sometimes have an outside toilet but when this is not the case a toilet spade is provided. Raised platforms or bunks have been installed for sleeping – sometimes the floor, particularly an attic floor, is also suitable.
Visitors are expected to bring food and bedding with them. Sometimes there are books, cooking equipment and so forth left by previous visitors. A bothy book is an important aspect of bothying culture. There is no system for reserving places or checking availability so, if the need arises, more people may squeeze in even if it means that some other people may decide to sleep outside in their tents. Visitors are only expected to stay for a short period – for a night or two – before moving on. Large groups – six or more – and commercial groups are not allowed.

Deer stalking in Scotland

In the Scottish Highlands many bothies are situated on deer stalking estates and so in the stalking season the land owner may restrict access or the bothy may be closed completely. Red deer stag hunting is from 1 July to 20 October and this is the time of the greatest likelihood of restrictions. However, hind culling starts 21 October and can extend into February. Elsewhere, in sheep country, the shepherds themselves may need to use a bothy at lambing time and they take priority over visitors. Estates often ask visitors to telephone in advance to enquire about restrictions. Warning notices will be displayed and a website maintains up-to-date access arrangements throughout Scotland.

List of MBA bothies

This sortable list includes all the Mountain Bothies Association bothies as listed on their website. Traditionally these locations were not published but a change of policy in 2009 led to the locations being made openly available. In 2017 Geoff Allan published The Scottish Bothy Bible, detailing all MBA bothies in Scotland as well as many other non-MBA bothies. Publication of this and other guides in recent years has led to controversy over the publicity of bothies and the 'bothy experience'. Some believe increased publicity in respect of bothies is detrimental to their long term sustainability. It has also been suggested that there should be a subcategory of bothies that are not publicised and are known only to MBA members, or alternatively, for no new bothies to be published beyond the MBA membership.

MBA region	Name	District	Grid ref Lat/long	Sleeps	Elevation	Estate	Photo	Notes
Northern Highlands	Achnanclach	Sutherland	NC630511	many	)	Syre		MBA SBB, 43.
Northern Highlands	Coiremor, Magoo's Bothy	Ross-shire	NH305888	many	)	Corriemulzie		MBA SBB, 45.
Northern Highlands	Croft House, Lochstrathy	Sutherland	NC793490	many	)	Strathy South		MBA SBB, 61.
Northern Highlands	Glencoul	Sutherland	NC270303	4	)	Reay Forest		Best approached by water. MBA SBB, 49; also.
Northern Highlands	Glendhu	Sutherland	NC283337	0+ upstairs	)	Reay Forest		MBA SBB, 53.
Northern Highlands	Kearvaig	Sutherland	NC292727	2+ attic	)	Cape Wrath	East Rhidorroch		MBA SBB, 59.
Northern Highlands	Schoolhouse, Duag Bridge	Sutherland	NH340975	5	)	Corriemulzie		MBA SBB, 77;. also.
Northern Highlands	Shenavall	Wester Ross	NH066810	many	)	Gruinard		Busy. MBA SBB, 63; also.
Northern Highlands	Strabeg	Sutherland	NC391518	many	)	Eriboll		Easy access. MBA SBB, 67.
Northern Highlands	Strathan	Sutherland	NC247612	2+	)	Keoldale		Near Sandwood Bay. MBA 15; SBB, 69.
Northern Highlands	Strathchailleach	Sutherland	NC249658	2	)	Keoldale		Near Sandwood Bay. MBA SBB, 71; also.
Northern Highlands	Suileag	Sutherland	NC149212	8	)	Glencanisp		MBA SBB, 75.
North West Highlands and Islands	Bearnais	Wester Ross	NH021431	2	)	Attadale		MBA SBB, 85.
North West Highlands and Islands	Camasunary	Camasunary		New bothy. MBA SBB, 285.
North West Highlands and Islands	Camban	Kintail	NH053184	many	)	West Affric	Fionnaraich		MBA SBB, 93.
North West Highlands and Islands	Craig	Wester Ross	NG774639	many	)	SYHA		MBA SBB, 95; also.
North West Highlands and Islands	Easan Dorcha	Coulin		MBA SBB, 103; also.
North West Highlands and Islands	Lookout	MBA		Ex-coastguard station, hence excellent views. MBA SBB, 293; also.
North West Highlands and Islands	Maol Bhuidhe	Wester Ross	NH053360	many in attic	)	Killilan		MBA SBB, 97.
North West Highlands and Islands	Ollisdal	Skye	NG213394	small	)	Glendale		Interior photo. MBA SBB, 287.
North West Highlands and Islands	Taigh Thormoid Dhuibh	Raasay		Island of Raasay, [\|interior photos]. MBA SBB, 291.
North West Highlands and Islands	Uags	Applecross	NG723351	1+ attic	)	Applecross		MBA SBB, 105.
North West Highlands and Islands	Uisinis	Outer Hebrides	NF849332	4	)	South Uist		Island of South Uist. MBA SBB, 297.
Western Highlands	A' Chuil	Lochaber	NM944924	7	)	Glendessary		Busy but rarely full. MBA SBB, 111.
Western Highlands	Dibidil	Rùm	NM393928	6	)	Scottish Natural Heritage		Interior photo. MBA SBB, 275.
Western Highlands	Gleann Dubh-lighe	Lochaber	NM945820	2+	)	Fassfern		MBA SBB, 117.
Western Highlands	Glenpean	Lochaber	NM936904	2+ large attic	)	Glendessary		MBA SBB, 119.
Western Highlands	Guirdil	Rùm	NG320014	4+	)	Scottish Natural Heritage		Island of Rùm. MBA SBB, 281.
Western Highlands	Invermallie	Lochaber	NN136888	4+ large attic	)	Locheil		Busy. MBA SBB, 123.
Western Highlands	Kinbreack	Lochaber	NN002961	0+ small attic	)	Locheil		Interior photo. MBA SBB, 125.
Western Highlands	Oban	Lochaber	NM863901	many	)	Meoble		MBA SBB, 129.
Western Highlands	Sourlies	Lochaber	NM868951	8	)	Camusrory		Busy in summer. MBA SBB, 135.
Western Highlands	Suardalan	Lochaber	NG883173	9	)	Glenelg Grazing		MBA SBB, 101.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Abyssinia	Loch Lomond; Glen Kinglas	NN256117	8	)	Strone		MBA also.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Cadderlie	North Argyll	NN047370	4	)	Loch Etive		MBA SBB, 207.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Carron	Knapdale	NR944996	2+ floor	)	Ederline		MBA SBB, 211.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Cruib	Jura	NR567829	5	)	Ruantallaine		Island of Jura. MBA SBB, 273.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Doune Byre	Loch Lomond	NN332144	4	)	Glenfalloch		West Highland Way. MBA SBB, 215p.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Druimnashallog	Lorne	NM898164	0	)	Forestry and Land Scotland		MBA
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Essan	Wester Ross	NM817817	12	)	Inverailort		MBA SBB, 115.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Glengarrisdale	Jura	NR644970	4	)	Ardlussa		Island of Jura. MBA SBB, 279.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Leacraithnaich	Ardgour	NM742472	4	)	Ardtornish		MBA SBB, 221.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Mark Cottage	Loch Lomond	NS229952	6	)	Forestry Commission		MBA SBB, 223.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Resourie	Ardgour	NM861710	10	)	Glenhurich Forest		MBA SBB, 225.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Rowchoish	Loch Lomond	NN336043	12	)	East Lomond Forest		West Highland Way. MBA SBB, 227.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Taigh Seumas a' Ghlinne, Glen Duror	Lochaber	NN022539	4	)	Lorne Forest		MBA SBB, 217; also.
Southwest Highlands and Islands	Tomsleibhe	Mull	NM617372	10	)	Glen Forsa		Isle of Mull. MBA SBB, 295.
Central Highlands	Achadh-nan-darach	Fort Augustus	NH313057	many	)	Aberchalder		MBA
Central Highlands	Ben Alder Cottage	Rannoch	NN499680	4	)	Ben Alder		MBA SBB, 143.
Central Highlands	Blackburn of Corrieyairack	Monadhliath	NH382029	0+ 8 floor	)	Culachy		MBA SBB, 147; also.
Central Highlands	Culra	-	NN523762	0	)	Ben Alder		Permanently closed. MBA SBB, 144.
Central Highlands	Glenbuck	Monadhliath	NN336996	many	)	Aberchalder		MBA SBB, 149; also.
Central Highlands	Gorton	Rannoch	NN375481	0+ floor	)	Blackmount		MBA SBB, 219.
Central Highlands	Lairig Leacach	Lochaber	NN282738	8	)	Killiechonate and Mamores		Busy. MBA SBB, 151; also.
Central Highlands	Loch Chiarain	Lochaber	NN289634	1+ large attic	)	Killiechonate and Mamores		MBA SBB, 153.
Central Highlands	Luib Chonnal	Monadhliath	NN394936	0+ attic	)	Braeroy		MBA SBB, 155.
Central Highlands	Meanach	Lochaber	NN266685	3	)	Killiechonate and Mamores		MBA SBB, 157.
Central Highlands	Staoineag	Lochaber	NN296678	many	)	Killiechonate and Mamores		MBA SBB, 161.
Eastern Highlands	Allt Scheicheachan	Badenoch	NN835737	2+ attic	)	Atholl		Interior photo. Not at all busy. MBA SBB, 167.
Eastern Highlands	Callater Stable	Mounth	NO178845	8	)	Invercauld		MBA SBB, 171.
Eastern Highlands	Charr	Mounth	NO616831	3	)	Glendye		MBA SBB, 185.
Eastern Highlands	Corrour	Cairngorms	NN981958	4	)	Mar Lodge	Inchrory		MBA SBB, 179.
Eastern Highlands	Fords of Avon Refuge Hut	Cairngorms	NJ042032	0	)	Abernethy	Mar Lodge	Balmoral		MBA SBB, 181; also.
Eastern Highlands	Glas Allt Shiel Bothy	Loch Muick	NO276824	6 in attic	)	Balmoral Estate		MBA SBB, 183.
Eastern Highlands	Hutchison Memorial Hut	Cairngorms	NO023998	2+ 4 floor	)	Mar Lodge	Glenfeshie		MBA SBB, 189; also.
Eastern Highlands	Ruighe Ealasaid	Mar Lodge		MBA also.
Eastern Highlands	Ryvoan	Cairngorms	NJ006115	4	)	Abernethy	Dalhousie		MBA SBB, 195.
Eastern Highlands	Tarf Hotel	Atholl		Remote. MBA SBB, 197.
Southern Scotland	Brattleburn	Lowther Hills	NT016069	2+ attic	)	-		MBA SBB, 239.
Southern Scotland	Burleywhag	Lowther Hills	NS971001	2	)	Queensberry		MBA SBB, 241.
Southern Scotland	Clennoch	Galloway	NS603002	6	)	Moorbrock		MBA SBB, 243.
Southern Scotland	Dryfehead	Dumfriesshire	NY170999	6	)	Tanlawhill Farm, Tilhill Forestry		Bothy restored since photo taken. MBA SBB, 247.
Southern Scotland	Gameshope	Dumfriesshire	NT135185	8	)	Borders Forest		MBA SBB, 249.
Southern Scotland	Greensykes	Dumfriesshire	NT312000	8	)	Greensykes		MBA SBB, 251.
Southern Scotland	Kettleton Byre	Lowther Hills	NS912021	4	)	Queensberry		MBA SBB, 253; also.
Southern Scotland	Leysburnfoot	-		MBA
Southern Scotland	Over Phawhope	Dumfriesshire	NT183082	8	)	MBA		MBA SBB, 255.
Southern Scotland	Tunskeen	Galloway	NX425906	6	)	Galloway Forest		MBA SBB, 257; also.
Southern Scotland	White Laggan	Galloway	NX466775	6	)	Galloway Forest		MBA SBB, 259.
Northern England and Borders	Cross Fell	-		Mining subsidence nearby. MBA also.
Northern England and Borders	Dubs Hut	Lake District	NY209134		)	-		MBA.
Northern England and Borders	Flittingford	Kielder	NY754886	4	)	Forest Enterprise England		MBA also.
Northern England and Borders	Great Lingy Hut	Lake District	NY312337	3–4	)	Lake District National Park		MBA also.
Northern England and Borders	Green	Kielder	NY740786		)	-		MBA. Closed until further notice
Northern England and Borders	Haughtongreen	Kielder	NY788713		)	-		MBA.
Northern England and Borders	Kershopehead	North Pennines	NY544863	2+ 10 floor	)	-		MBA also.
Northern England and Borders	Mosedale Cottage	Lake District	NY495095	12+ floor	)	-		Interior photo. MBA; also.
Northern England and Borders	Roughside	Kielder	NY745833		)	-		MBA.
Northern England and Borders	Spithope	Cheviots	NT769057		)	-		MBA.
Northern England and Borders	Wainhope	Kielder	NY671925		)	-		MBA.
Northern England and Borders	Warnscale Head	Lake District	NY206132	0	)	-		MBA; also.
Wales	Arenig Fawr	Snowdonia	SH851380	3	)	Welsh Water		MBA also.
Wales	Cae Amos	Snowdonia	SH517454		)	-		MBA, also.
Wales	Dulyn	Snowdonia	SH705664	0+ 10 floor	)	-		MBA also.
Wales	Grwyne Fawr	Black Mountains	SO225312	4	)	-		MBA also.
Wales	Lluest Cwm Bach	Cambrian Mountains	SN900705	6–7	)	Elan Valley Trust		MBA, also.
Wales	Moel Prysgau	Cambrian Mountains	SN806611	many	)	Natural Resources Wales		MBA also.
Wales	Nant Rhys	Cambrian Mountains	SN836792		)	-		MBA also.
Wales	Nant Syddion	Cambrian Mountains	SN773791	18+	)	Forest Enterprise Ceredigion Area		MBA also.
Wales	Penrhos Isaf	Snowdonia	SH737238		)	-		MBA, also.