Will's Bothy in the Scottish Borders is one cared for by the charity. Photo: MBA
Police in the South of Scotland have launched a Bothy Watch scheme after reports the free shelters are being misused.
Increased awareness of the bothies’ existence and accessibility have led to problems and genuine outdoor enthusiasts prevented from using them because of groups of revellers.
Police Scotland said it plans to work with the Mountain Bothies Association and volunteers to tackle crime in the remote areas where the bothies are found.
It said the scheme, which includes members of Forestry and Land Scotland, local authorities and mountain rescue team volunteers, aims to keep the bothies free from damage and allowing them to be used for the purpose they are intended for.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “For years these buildings have been a valuable and in fact quite a social resource for hillwalkers and cyclists, with many reliant upon them on their long-distance trekking routes.
“Nowadays there is a wealth of information available online about their locations and as a result they have become generally more accessible.
“This trend for the bothy has attracted a different type of user and we are concerned that health and safety on the hills is compromised and the integrity of the bothy lost.
“We are aware of a report that genuine hillwalkers were prevented access to a bothy full of revellers. They were forced to continue on in bad weather and subsequently had to be rescued off the hillside.
“This is a real concern for us and we want to raise awareness to the consequences of not using these shelters correctly.
“The Bothy Watch initiative will promote sustainable and safe use of the bothies but at the same time we think it is vital to educate the new generation of users on the proper etiquette surrounding their use in order to reduce potential for anti-social behaviour. By working together with our partners who regularly access these properties we hope to spread the message that bothies are not law free zones.
“Regular checks will be carried out to the buildings and monitoring of any vehicles parked in restricted zones.”
The MBA, which cares for more than 100 rudimentary shelters throughout Scotland, England and Wales, said it welcomed this initiative.
“A number of years ago we developed a code of practice for bothy users, based on respect for the building, the surrounding environment and other users. We have also recently appointed an education officer tasked with considering what further action we can take to spread the message about responsible use.”
Any crimes involving the bothies can be reported using the bothy report section on the MBA website, or alternatively by phoning Police Scotland on 101 – 999 for emergency calls. Information can also be passed via the independent charity CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.
OldManOfTheHills
10 July 2019Difficult to police as who is to say walkers and climbers cant have a celebration once they get to a bothy.
Having said that I am annoyed at the amount of rubbish left behind in bothies and the mistreatment of their structures.
However all walkers to a bothy should have a fall back plan if it is full or unusable, and in the event of real danger I doubt "revellers" would force a newcomer out into the cold.
It a real problem but I fear the walkers who needed rescuing made the wrong call.
yamyam
10 July 2019oldmanofthehills. if you arrive at a remote bothy (not to remote for piss heads to get there) and there a beer swilling party in progress and dope are you going to force your way in, i dont fink so but you are right you should carry some shelter for the night.
Doddy
11 July 2019It is pretty obvious the miscreants are of the Chav variety. A sign of the times of our increasingly Facebook society. Life seems to revolve around a drinking/party culture. Similar re camping near Loch Lomond and the need there for restrictions.
I am a MBA member but one reason I do not volunteer for working parties (though I do contribute in other ways) is the reference to drinking.Bah Humbug.
I do carry a shelter and mostly camp outside but move on if I feel uncomfortable with the occupants already there or that turn up.
At shelters I learnt many moons ago in the US not to unpack the bag and set up camp till late; then you can move on without discussion why you are leaving.
OldManOfTheHils
11 July 2019Doddy
The only situation I imagine might give me real danger is winter and 5 degrees below zero or worse, and I mostly use bothies in winter. Many celebrations in bothies then but few "chav" gatherings. On other occasions colleagues have slept outside in bivi sacks outside huts to avoid snoring and I once joined then to get an earlier night. Uncomfortable but liveable.
As an MBA member I am mostly incenced at the amount of rubbish left behind, I try and carry out what I can gather.We buy lighter gear and lighter bags to ease our ageing limbs, carry 5kg of fuel and burn or leave it for next user and hope to leave less burdened, but instead load up with 2kg of others cack to take up Ben MD or whatever and I suspect the rubbish generators are all younger and stronger than me.
Alan P
22 July 2019Properly policed.
Must not, repeat not, turn into an all-night rave.
Doddy
22 July 2019By car for a rest stop I arrived in the evening in a carpark alongside Loch Lomond. I was soon joined going down to the shore by a bunch of teenage guys and gals fully laden with supermarket trays of booze, portable foil Bar B Q`s and a ghetto blaster. You can see why camping byelaws were brought in.
Apart from presumably the driver, I would guess the oldest was 15 years old.
Just no problem these days to drink under age and parents not checking how they are using their vehicle.
Upon leaving in I litter picked the car park from previous Bar B Q`s.
I am one of my local councils Litter Hero`s complete with a picker and bin liners. Picked half a bag in about 10 minutes
Scott
19 May 2021It annoys me a little more than normal when people abuse Wills Bothy!! That said; Flittering Ford bothy was recently vandalised. Nothing that can't be fixed, but it easily could of been worse.
I avoid all bothies on Saturday nights. And like someone said earlier, I leave most of my gear packed until after it gets dark.
Mostly that's so I've got the place to myself though...