Bothies
About our bothies
A bothy is a small building in a very remote location which offers basic shelter for walkers, cyclists or other countryside users. They do not have toilet facilities, heating or running water and may not even have furniture. They are not staffed and the condition of the bothy depends upon the previous users. Please be considerate when you use a bothy and leave it as you would hope to find it.
Some bothies will have a fireplace or a wood burning stove. If you use dry wood from the bothy to light a fire please collect some dead wood from the area before you leave so that the next person will have dry fuel. Do not cut live wood. You will need to fetch your water from nearby sources so bring bottles to carry water in. On some days bothies can be busy and as there is no booking system you should always be prepared to wild camp or to return home.
We have five bothies along the Southern Upland Way. The Ranger Service maintains two of these, The Beehive and Polskeoch / Chalk Memorial. The Mountain Bothies Association runs White Laggan, Brattleburn and Over Phawhope.
Respect the Bothy
Respect other users
Respect the surroundings
Respect the estate
Respect the numbers
1. The Beehive
Situated in the heart of Killgallioch Forest this unique structure offers a simple nights stay in a very remote environment. Stay here and you will have views over the fells, amazing stargazing from the dark skies and historic standing stones. This bothy can sleep up to 6 on benches with additional room on the floor. There is an outdoor fire area and picnic bench.
2. Chalk Memorial / Polskeoch Bothy
The cozy and beautifully painted interior of this bothy provides a refuge in a remote valley in the woods. Painted by a local volunteer it is worth visiting just to see the murals on the walls. The wood burning stove keeps the place warm and there is plenty of space on the large sleeping platform.
3. White Laggan
This bothy stands in a dramatic landscape overlooking Loch Dee and with Merrick, the highest hill in the Southern Uplands in the distance. The interior has two rooms with sleeping platforms and a small kitchen area. There is a wood burning stove to keep the bothy warm and dry.
4. Brattleburn
Found in a clearing in the forest this small stone house provides welcome shelter on the way down to Beattock. Inside there are two small rooms downstairs, each with a wood burning stove and sleeping area. Up the ladder is a large loft area with more space for sleeping.
5. Over Phawhope
Surrounded by hills and with the fast flowing Ettrick Water just outside this bothy is set in a stunning and remote landscape. Inside is comfy and dry with a wood burning stove and separate rooms for sleeping. Outside has picnic benches and views.