Bike accessible bothies in Scotland

[rualexander]

Following my recent mention of Kearvaig bothy near Cape Wrath and the interest from others, I have compiled a pdf list (see below) of 47 bothies in Scotland which I consider should be accessible with a loaded touring bike.

I have been to some of them but by no means all of them so if planning a trip, this list should be used as an initial guide only, and full research and planning should be carried out, the MBA website is the best starting place for further information http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/

[rualexander]

Some bothy views

[Peddrov]

Good resource! From personal experience, Kershopehead bothy is also easily reachable via an unsealed but easily rideable forest road. It's in England, but literally meters away from the Scottish border.

[Danneaux]

Fantastic resource you've compiled there, Rual; makes me want to go *now*!

Thanks very much.

Best,

Dan.

[Donerol]

Me too!

[freewheeler]

Great list pal. Thanks for sharing it.

From a trip last year I can also say that 'The Lookout' at the top end of Skye is fairly easy to get to with a fully loaded touring bike with some riding and pushing towards the end. The views from there are fantastic, too! It's a handy place to head to if you are using the Uig to Tarbert ferry en route to or from the Outer Hebrides.

All the best, Mark

[Danneaux]

That does it -- Scotland's on the list for sure, by bothy of course!

Best,

Dan.

[Matt2matt2002]

Excellent info.
Many thanks.
I hope to complete the Scottish four corners, five Bens and one bike challenge this summer. The bothies will be very handy.
Matt

[macspud]

Excellent info for touring in Scotland.

[rualexander]

Excellent info for touring in Scotland. There does seem to be difference of MBA region numbers between the list and the NBA site though, have they changed since you put the list together maybe?

No, I used the regions currently on the MBA website as shown on the map on this screenshot :

[jags]

Hell of a place this Scotland.

[macspud]

Oops, sorry. I was reading multiple different threads/sites and got myself confused.

[rualexander]

Having compiled my list of bothies, last week I got away for a couple of days to cycle in to Dryfehead bothy from Eskdalemuir. Weather was a bit ropey and I got soaked on the ride in through the forest, but arrived at the bothy to find a walker had the fire going in the stove built from an old gas cylinder, so it was nice and warm and I got my stuff dried out overnight.

[Danneaux]

Absolutely fantastic photos as always, Rual; thanks so much for sharing them. Always a treat to see!

All the best,

Dan.

[rualexander]

Dryfehead is a new bothy to the network, only opened last year after significant work by the MBA.
A good circular route can be ridden from Eskdalemuir with a visit to the Tibetan Tea Room at Samye Ling monastery for some tasty soup and samosas very welcome on a wet day.