Bothy map of Scotland

What is a bothy

A bothy is a simple shelter in remote hill country, left open for walkers to use. Some are former houses, schoolhouses or stables, and a few are small mountain refuges.

Bothies stay open by courtesy of the estates that own the land. The Mountain Bothies Association maintains most bothies in Scotland. Bothies are used entirely at your own risk.

Treat a bothy as a basic roof, not a hostel. Carry everything you would need to camp, in case the bothy is full or closed.

Bothies in Scotland by area

The Mountain Bothies Association groups its Scottish bothies into seven areas:

• Northern Highlands
• North West Highlands and Islands
• Western Highlands and Islands
• Central Highlands
• Eastern Highlands
• Southwest Highlands and Islands
• Southern Scotland

Bothy locations come from OpenStreetMap, the open map edited by volunteers, checked against the MBA's own bothy list. Check each bothy on the MBA website before you go, as status can change.

Three recent examples show why. The MBA says Culra in the Central Highlands has been demolished, and there is no shelter there until a new building goes up. Druimnashallag in the Southwest Highlands is closed for renovation and due to reopen late 2026. Easan Dorcha (The Teahouse) is due to be replaced, so check it before you go.

The map marks Mountain Bothies Association bothies in yellow and estate or other bothies in white. A grey marker means the bothy is closed for now. Culra is left off the map because there is no building to shelter in.

The Bothy Code

The MBA asks every visitor to follow the Bothy Code. Its five headings, in short:

• Respect other users. A bothy is shared space, so make room for anyone who arrives after you.
• Respect the bothy. Look after the building and leave it clean and tidy for the next visitor.
• Respect the surroundings. Care for the land around the bothy and follow any local fire rules.
• Respect agreement with the estate. Keep to stalking and lambing restrictions, and keep your stay short.
• Respect the restriction on numbers. Groups of six or more should not use a bothy, and commercial groups should not use them at all.

Stalking, lambing and other limits

Estate agreements can close a bothy or limit access for part of the year. The dates vary from one bothy to the next.

• Stag stalking: Achnanclach in the Northern Highlands is not available from 10 September to 20 October. Coire Fionnaraich closes from 20 September to 20 October.
• Lambing: Burleywhag in Southern Scotland closes from 12 April to 31 May.
• Military ranges: access to Kearvaig, Strathan and Strathchailleach is prohibited when red flags fly.
• Fires: several bothies in the Eastern Highlands are under national park byelaws. No campfires or barbecues are allowed there from 1 April to 30 September.

Many other bothies ask you to phone the estate or check notices during the stalking season. Several in the Central Highlands point walkers to Hillphones during stalking and hind cull seasons. The MBA page for each bothy sets out its own rules.

Getting to a bothy

Many bothies are far from the nearest road. Estates often limit vehicles, so plan where to park.

• Several bothies have no vehicle access beyond the public road end.
• For White Laggan, the MBA says to park at Bruce's Stone car park. For Uags, it is Toscaig pier.
• Some routes cross rivers. The burn on the way to Abyssinia can be impassable in spate.
• At Essan, do not cross or walk on the railway.

Rivers rise fast after heavy rain. If a crossing looks unsafe, turn back or wait.

Using the bothy map

Find bothies near your planned route, then open the MBA page for each one. Check its status and any estate restrictions for the dates you plan to visit.

Plan the walk in as you would any hill day. Check the forecast, carry a map and compass, and tell someone where you are going.

Some bothies sit on land used for shooting, forestry or wind farms, so routes can change. Croft House (Lochstrathy), for example, may have diversions during wind farm construction. At Kettleton Byre, shooting runs from September to mid January, Monday to Saturday.

Quick answers

What is a bothy?

A bothy is a simple shelter in remote hill country, left open for walkers. Some are former houses, schoolhouses or stables.

Who looks after bothies in Scotland?

The Mountain Bothies Association maintains most Scottish bothies. They stay open by courtesy of the estate owners.

Can a group stay in a bothy?

Groups of six or more should not use a bothy, under the Bothy Code. Commercial groups should not use bothies at all.

Are bothies open all year?

Not always. Achnanclach closes for stag stalking from 10 September to 20 October. Burleywhag closes for lambing from 12 April to 31 May.

Can you light a fire at a bothy?

It depends on the bothy. Several in the Eastern Highlands are under national park byelaws. These ban campfires and barbecues from 1 April to 30 September.

How long can you stay in a bothy?

The Mountain Bothies Association asks for short stays only, in line with its agreements with estate owners.

What are the Bothy Code rules?

Respect other users, the bothy, the surroundings, the agreement with the estate, and the restriction on numbers.