bothy
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Greensykes Bothy
Dave and I arrived at the small, frost-edged parking space at the head of the glen, the sun bright and low, for our annual new year bothy trip. The cold hit instantly as we left the van warmth, sharp at minus two. Boots crunched, packs were shouldered and the silence felt wide and welcoming. We…
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Third Time Lucky
We were going to the back of beyond. Now those are not my words, but the words of a descendent of the last resident of Loch Glencoul bothy. They explain in an info pack to be found at the bothy that “coul” in the bothy name comes from the Gaelic word “cul”, meaning back, and…
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Storm Babet’s Bothy
A photo of my grandad can still be found on the wall in the restaurant area of the Cross Keys Hotel in Ettrick Bridge. What he is doing in the picture I can’t quite remember as I saw the picture about 12 years ago on a quick stop through the village. The Ettrick Valley was…
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Loch Con and the Field of the Flat Stones
With its single track roads and remote spaces, I’ve always been a fan of Highland Perthshire. So when by a total fluke I found an article online about Loch Con, it’s bothy and the walk in, I immediately added it to my ever-growing wish list of places to visit and waited for the ideal opportunity.…
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New Year Bothy Therapy
Easter Earshaig car park to Brattleburn bothy is 6.7km, walking along part of the Southern Upland Way, according to my calculations using OS maps. After all the snow and rain over the last week, I was wondering how many of those kms would be on boggy paths and fields. Dave and I had decided at…
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Seeking Sanctuary in A’ Chomraich
It was appropriate that while the country struggles to come to terms with the cost of living crisis, and the government tries its best to justify tax cuts for rich people at the same time, Paul and I decided to escape to Applecross for three days exploring in the wilds. The Gaelic for Applecross is…
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Grid Square Journeys no. 4 – NN 7351 (Coire Pheiginn)
It’s been a while since I journeyed around a grid square, checking if my map and compass knowledge are still in a vague working order. So with a day to amble I had a think about where I wanted to go. And with fuel prices (and all other prices) going northwards of £1.80 for a…
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Foulbog to Dryfehead
“Foulbog” The name of the rural house to my right as I drove over the line separating the Scottish Borders from Dumfries and Galloway which made me giggle. On a par with “Cauldhame”, another building moniker I’ve seen on a walk which would surely make you re-think whether it was the best place to live…
Challenge Kev Outdoors 