The Bothy Code

Even though bothies are free and anyone can go, there is a bothy code which has 5 rules.

Respect Other Users
Respect the Bothy
Respect the Surroundings
Respect Agreement with the Estate
Respect the Restrictions on Numbers

As you can’t book a bothy for yourself there is a chance you will share it with other people. Be respectful to others and you might even like the possibility of meeting new people.

Before you leave a bothy, make sure the place is clean and you’ve taken all your rubbish with you! Left rubbish can attract animals and it is extremely rude to other people to leave your mess. When leaving make sure the fire is out and the door (and windows) are closed properly.

Inform the MBA of any damage to the bothy you see or accidentally do yourself. Most bothies don’t have a toilet, so you’ll have to go outside and (at least in winter) get a cold bum. Make sure you are at least 180 metres away from any water source and the bothy. If you decide having a ‘poo with a view’, take the spade that will be in the bothy and bury everything in a hole (at least 15 cm deep). Toilet paper can either be burned in the hole, in the fire place or you can take it back home in a bin bag.

For the bothy fire, you should bring your own kindling, or you can collect wood from the surroundings. DO NOT cut down live wood!

Bothies are owned privately. It is important you respect any restrictions by the owner (e.g. stalking season) and remember bothies are for short stays (1-2 days). Bothies are not meant for groups over 5 people or commercial purposes. To be on the safe side of having a place to sleep it is always wise to bring a tent or bivvy bag.

The code can usually be found in the bothy itself and on the website of the Mountain Bothy Association).

xoxo, Joanna