What makes a bothy different

A bothy is not a hotel, a hostel or a campsite. It is a simple, unlocked shelter, usually a former farmhouse or estate building, kept open for anyone to use. There is no warden, no booking system and no guarantee of a bed. You might find four walls, a roof, perhaps a fireplace, a table and a sleeping platform. You might find nothing but a dry floor. That is the deal. In return, every visitor takes responsibility for the next. Etiquette is not about rigid rules; it is about keeping these places usable for walkers, climbers, cyclists and wild campers who need a roof when the weather turns. The same spirit applies to upland tarns and wild camping spots: leave them as you would wish to find them.

Arriving with care

Plan to arrive well before dark, especially in winter. Rock up at 10pm and you will disturb everyone, trip over rucksacks and struggle to find a space. If you are walking in, check the route and the weather. Bothies sit in remote areas, often several kilometres from the nearest road. Park considerately: do not block gates, passing places or private drives. If a track is eroded or muddy, park lower down and walk. When you reach the bothy, pause outside. Listen. If it sounds full, or if there are already many rucksacks and boots, be prepared to camp nearby instead. Never assume you can squeeze in. A polite "mind if we join you?" goes a long way. If the bothy is empty, choose a spot that leaves the best space for others. Do not spread your kit across every surface.

Sharing the space

Bothies are communal. That means compromise. Sleeping platforms are first come, first served, but do not colonise a whole platform for two people. Use a sleeping mat and bag; do not expect mattresses. Keep your belongings tidy and close to your sleeping spot. Noise carries: keep voices low after dark, avoid loud music and do not shine torches in people's faces. If you arrive late, settle in quietly. If you are part of a large group, consider whether a bothy is the right choice. Groups can overwhelm a small shelter, so split up, camp outside or choose a bigger venue. Dogs are usually welcome but must be under control and not everyone loves them. Cook outside if you can, or in a well-ventilated area. Do not use stoves on the sleeping platform. And remember: a bothy is a shared refuge, not a private party barn.

Fire, fuel and lighting

Many bothies have a fireplace or stove, but fuel is not provided. Do not burn green wood, fence posts or anything you find nearby that is part of the building. Bring your own solid fuel, peat or untreated wood if you plan a fire, and keep it small. A roaring fire can crack stones and fill the room with smoke. Use candles or torches sparingly, and never leave a flame unattended. If there is a stove, learn how it works before lighting it. Some bothies have no fire at all, so a good sleeping bag and a flask are wiser than hoping for warmth. In summer, midges can be fierce. A candle or a smoky fire helps, but do not smoke out your companions. Keep the fire area clean and remove ash responsibly.

Toilets, tarns and waste

Most bothies have no toilet. That means you need a plan. Walk at least 30 metres from the bothy, from water sources and from paths. Dig a hole about 15–20 centimetres deep, do your business, and cover it well. Carry out all toilet paper in a bag. Do not bury it; animals dig it up. If there is a tarn nearby, treat it as a water source and a place of beauty, not a toilet or a sink. Do not wash with soap or shampoo in a tarn. Fetch water in a bottle and wash away from the edge. Wild swimming is wonderful, but keep it free of soap, sunscreen and food waste. If you use a tarn for drinking water, filter or boil it. The same rules apply to wild camping spots: leave no trace, and pack out everything you bring in.

Leaving the bothy ready for the next person

Before you leave, do a full sweep. Check under bunks, behind the door and around the fire. Pick up every scrap of rubbish, including food wrappers, tea bags, bottle tops and that bit of tape you used to patch your mat. Sweep the floor if there is a brush. Stack any useful fuel neatly. Close windows and doors, but do not lock them. If something is broken, report it to the maintenance group if you can, but do not attempt major repairs yourself. Leave the bothy cleaner than you found it. That is the golden rule. The next person might be a soaked walker at midnight or a family on their first bothy trip. Your small efforts make their stay possible. And when you next wild camp beside an upland tarn, carry that same ethic: take only photographs, leave only footprints, and keep the wild places wild.