Any bothy users out there?

[PrimitivePerson]

I don't do much camping in the sense of using a tent to sleep in, but I'm a big fan of bothies. In case you don't know what a bothy is, it's a basic building in a remote location that is left open and is free to use by anyone, for rest and overnight stays. They tend to be REALLY off the beaten track, and they're basic in the sense that there's no mains services, and often no toilet, and you need to take in everything you need yourself (sleeping bag, food etc). Hiking to one and staying in it for a couple of nights is an often unpredictable but usually very rewarding experience.

There's about a hundred or so of them in the UK, mainly in remote parts of Scotland, maintained mostly by the Mountain Bothies Association, but there's also a few in the north of England and north Wales.

I've had some brilliant adventures in them, and would love to hear stories of anyone else who has used them.

No, but I know what they are. A course my DD did had a alumni who created the photography book Black Dots, documenting them.

They look amazing. Are you usually there on your own or are like mini impromptu tea parties?

Except this one. Don’t go here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013218

@Ohmylovejune You can't guarantee getting them to yourself, because of course there's no booking, and anyone can just turn up. Some of them are more or less permanently busy, and you'd be wise to take a tent with you just in case you get there and find it full.

The busy ones tend to be well-known outside the hillwalking community, and near very popular areas, and also don't involve much hiking to reach. You can't drive to any of them, of course, but bothies that are only a mile or two from the nearest road are used FAR more frequently than ones involving a good 10 to 15 miles of strenuous hiking.

I've had them to myself reasonably often, though, and you can maximise your chances by going midweek, avoiding the height of summer and going during school term time. Most of the time the other users you might come across are a decent bunch, but some bothies (again, the easier ones to reach) have a reputation for drinking, drugs and antisocial behaviour.

FYI National trust manage a few. Bookable, guaranteed sole use, you get given a key code, some even have a parking space! But still v basic - no power, water, beds etc.

@IggysPop Oh, blimey! Not sure I want to listen to that! I've got an idea of writing a bothy-based horror story, but I'm scared that if I do, I'll be too freaked out to ever stay in one again.

I had one rather uncomfortable and unpleasant night at The Croft House, which is particularly remote (I hiked 12 miles to get there). I was a bit freaked out about how far away from anything I was, and I felt on edge the whole time I was there. Everywhere else has been fine.

I was just going to say this. The scariest Uncanny episode ever. No chance of ever getting me in a bothy after listening to this!

@PrimitivePerson @IggysPop
That uncanny episode (there are follow ups) is BRILLIANT and certainly good enough to inspire a story.
But yes, terrifying...

As a woman on my own I would be nervous staying on my own knowing that anyone could walk in. Do they feel safe?

@BunnyBettChettwynd I'm a man, so I'll be honest and say I can't answer that question for you, because my perspective and understanding will be very different. That said, plenty of single women use them. If you're confident enough to know what you're doing in remote areas, you should be fine.

Although I mentioned antisocial behaviour upthread, it's not common in bothies, and I've never experienced it.

There's one at the top of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia. I was camping under the stars with a group of students on a trip and whilst they were all slumbering at 2am, the sound of the wind in my ears was driving me slightly insane.

A woman hiker had stayed in the bothy overnight. She left shortly after sunrise and I went inside, fell asleep immediately (sitting up!) and got about 90 minutes before everyone woke up. I was so relieved to have some peace!