Explore 26 of the UK’s most memorable bothies with The Book of the Bothy, a guide to simple, unlocked shelters tucked away in remote and wild locations across Scotland, England and Wales. Author Phoebe Smith shares her favourite ‘stone tents’, offering personal recollections alongside practical advice for planning visits, understanding bothy etiquette, and enjoying the surrounding landscapes safely.

• Celebrates 26 bothies across the UK, including the Scottish Highlands, Dumfries and Galloway, Northumberland, the Lake District, Snowdonia, Mid-Wales and the Brecon Beacons
• Provides practical guidance on packing, facilities, safety, bothy etiquette and what to do when visiting these free cottages and shelters
• Includes routes and mapping to each bothy, including Taigh Seumas a' Ghlinne (Glen Coe), Ben Alder Cottage, Shenavall, Warnscale Head and Greg's Hut, with suggestions for nearby walks or hills to explore
• Offers personal memories and anecdotes from the author, Phoebe Smith's visits, giving insight into the character and atmosphere of each location
• Covers the history of the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), wildlife spotting opportunities and traditions associated with bothies, highlighting the cultural and natural richness of these remote shelters

Whether you’re planning your first bothy stay, looking for expert advice for safe and enjoyable visits, or simply inspired by stories of life in remote shelters, The Book of the Bothy opens a window into the UK’s wild landscapes and the enduring appeal of these simple refuges. It invites readers to experience solitude, adventure and the quiet beauty of the natural world with just a roof, a fire and the landscape around them.

The Book of the Bothy - Quick Facts

Guidebook: The Book of the Bothy 
Location/Coverage: UK – including Scottish Highlands, Dumfries & Galloway, Northumberland, Lake District, the Pennines, Snowdonia, Mid-Wales, and the Brecon Beacons 
Topics Covered: Bothy visits, shelter etiquette, history, wildlife spotting, personal anecdotes, planning and safety advice 
Bothy Types: Unlocked, free-use stone and wooden shelters in remote locations 
Bothies include: Taigh Seumas a' Ghlinne (Glen Coe), Ben Alder Cottage, Shenavall, Warnscale Head and Greg's Hut
Routes/Inspiration: Nearby walks and hills, suggested routes to bothies, exploration of surrounding landscapes 
Practical Advice: Packing, facilities, safety, bothy etiquette, and tips for enjoyable visits 
Difficulty: Beginner to experienced walkers – accessible to most outdoor enthusiasts 
Ideal for: Solo or small-group visits, short overnight stays, hillwalking, and wild exploration 
Best Season: Year-round, depending on local conditions and weather

Author Highlight

“The kind of person I want to tell about bothies is you. I want to invite you all to fall in love with these modest shelters as much as I have. I want to share the information I know about them, want to help you reach them the best way possible, would like you to be prepared for staying at them and, f inally, I want to take you on a journey to visit them over the next couple of hundred pages so that, even if you don’t get chance to visit them all, you’ll feel like you have.”

- Phoebe Smith, author of The Book of the Bothy

Map key
Overview map

Introduction

Welcome to the wonderful world of bothying
What are bothies?
History of bothies
Facilities to expect
Why bothy?
Finding a bothy
MBA or not?
The bothy book
Safety issues
Etiquette
Traditions
How you can help
What to take when bothying
A note on fuel
The best bothies – or why these 26?

Scotland

Dumfries and Galloway

Tunskeen

Lowther Hills

Kettleton Byre

Glen Coe

Taigh Seumas a’ Ghlinne

Scottish Highlands

Lairig Leacach

Dalwhinnie

Ben Alder Cottage

Great Glen

Blackburn of Corrieyairack

East Highlands

Ruigh Aiteachain

Balmoral

Glendar Shiel Stable

Cairngorms

Bob Scott’s
Hutchinson Memorial Hut
Ryvoan

Wester Ross

Easan Dorcha (The Teahouse)
Shenavall

Isle of Skye

The Lookout

Torridon

Craig

Sutherland

The Schoolhouse
Glencoul

Sandwood Estate

StrathChailleach

Wales

Brecon Beacons

Grwyne Fawr

Mid-Wales

Nant Syddian

Snowdonia

Arenig Fawr

Carneddau

Dulyn

England

Lake District

Warnscale Head
Mosedale Cottage

Pennines

Cross Fell

Northumberland

Kershopehead
 

Seasons

Bothies are accessible year-round.

Centres

Wales: Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons, Devil's Bridge. England: Buttermere and Mosedale (Lake District), Dufton (Pennines), Kielder Forest Park (Northumberland). Scotland: Highlands and Isle of Skye, Glenduror Forest, Fort Augustus, Spean Bridge, Rannoch Moor, Cairngorms, Galloway Forest, Fisherfield, Sandwood Bay, Oykel Bridge.

Difficulty

Good level of fitness and ability required. Some of the bothies featured can be reached in a half day's walk, on easy to follow bridleways and paths; others require technical and/or navigation skills, especially in winter, with some river crossings or scrambling.

Must See

Bothies in this book cover some of the UK's wildest spots. Highlights included Sandwood Bay, Fisherfield forest, the Isle of Skye, Mosedale in the Lake District, the Torridon coastline, Rannoch Moor, Ben Alder, the Cairngorms National Park, Galloway Forest and Snowdonia's Carneddau.

September 2015

Updates

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.