Scottish Bothy Walks by Geoff Allan
Geoff Allan is most definitely a bothy expert, having already authored The Scottish Bothy Bible. He has hiked and biked to every well-known Scottish bothy as well as many lesser known ones. When it comes to Scottish bothies, Geoff really knows what he’s talking about.
However, Scottish Bothy Walks is not purely about the bothies. What it really does is focus on ‘a range of short hikes, mountain climbs and multi-day expeditions’. The 28 walks described are based on using the selected bothies as shelter at the end of the day.
The book is presented in a very sensible sequence. Following the introduction is a description of bothies and bothying which is probably a good idea in case anyone expects them to be 5 Star hotels! A section on using the guide includes information on how to stay safe and also relates to walking grades for the terrain covered. Other considerations covered include when to go, the weather, beasties such as midges and ticks and, of course, personal kit.
The main part of the book deals with the 28 walks or adventures. This is broken up into geographical sections from the Northern Highlands to Southern Scotland. Six of the adventures are contained within a separate Islands section. To make life easier, each walk is numbered and can be located on a map as well as on the Contents page.
Each walk is described using the following format:
- Walk number – this relates to the map and contents pages.
- Title – written in large bold writing. For example, ‘OVERNIGHT AT STAOINEAG BOTHY’
- Brief synopsis of the walk. For example, ‘Exceptional three-day round trip along the uncompromising norther shoreline of Loch Tarbet. A haven for wildlife, this rugged landscape is among the finest in Scotland.’
- Detailed description. Each walk is detailed with lots of interesting information.
- Information panel. This includes information such as maps required, grid references, total distance, ascent, difficulty level etc.
- Photographs. Each walk description contains a number of images taken en route. These include scenery, the bothy and points of interest.
- Directions. This is a summary of the legs covered. A map showing each leg is also provided.
The descriptions of each walk are incredibly well written. It is obvious that there is a personal connection between the author and each bothy walk. Geoff talks of a bothy as a ‘steadfast friend’ and describes a mountain as having a ‘patient, parental gaze’ over other peaks. He talks about neolithic monuments, hill forts and Bronze Age cup and ring inscriptions. Gaelic words describing prominent features are translated and relevant geology and history is also touched on. Sometimes the author suggests additions to the walks if time allows.
The routes are described with feeling, as previously mentioned, and genuine interest and broken down into legs. These legs are then reiterated in a more straight to the point manner in the Directions section.
I particularly like the at a glance format of the book’s described walks. Let’s assume that the description of the walk has previously been read and thus selected to undertake. All that’s then really needed en route is the step by step directions for each route to refer to.
Ultimately though, this is a really nice guide to some of Scotland’s bothies in some fantastic locations. It’s an incredibly useful resource for planning some amazing places to go to on a small scale expedition. For those whose fitness and navigation level aren’t the best, there are ‘easy’ walks. There are also ‘challenging’ grades for those who want to push themselves more.
I’m already planning a bothy walk. Perhaps you will too once you’ve read the book.
About Geoff Allan:
Geoff is a travel writer, photographer and outdoor guide based in Edinburgh. He is the Mountain bothies Association’s maintenance officer for Dibidil Bothy on Rùm.
Geoff has hiked and biked to every well-known Scottish bothy. He is also the author of The Scottish Bothy Bible.
This book is directly responsible for the closure of peanmeanach Bothy.
After the publication of his first book, peanmeanach has see; an exponential growth in use. The Bothy does not have the infrastructure to deal it( the increase in footfall.
When the landowner found out that mr Allan was planning on including it in second cash in book, he approached mr Allan nd his publisher and requested that it not be included in the book.
Mr Allan point blank refused, and included it anyway.
The landowner was then left with no option but to cease the use of peanmeanach Bothy as an open Bothy.
Such a shame, 40 years of maintenance end3d by the greed of one man.
Hi Dave.
That is very sad news. Obviously the promotion of bothies is likely to increase footfall which can have a very negative impact if users abuse the use of them and their surroundings.
We at Survival and Bushcrafts have no influence with the author or publisher of Scottish Bothy Walks or the owner of Peanmeanach Bothy and are therefore not in a position to know what discussions went on between them. However, we really appreciate you sharing this information with us.
Peanmeanach is in such a great location too so it is a real pity that it has been closed.
The MBA website has updated its information about Peanmeanach which can be viewed at https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothies/southwest-highlands-islands/peanmeanach/