Plea for walkers to stay away from Scotland's bothies at Easter
The Mountain Bothies Association said it was aware some of the properties it manages in Scotland had been used in recent times – but that the guidance remains to keep away for now .
The MBA, which runs 85 properties in Scotland where walkers can stay overnight for free, said it understood people were “desperate” to get out into the countryside again, particularly with the Easter holiday approaching.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut MBA Chairman Simon Birch added that while a timetable for the lifting of travel restrictions was now known, it was not yet clear when people would be allowed to gather indoors.
He said: “While we now have a timetable for when travel restrictions might be removed, there is as yet no firm information about when other restrictions that currently apply in the bothy situation- groups meeting indoors, social distancing, personal hygiene requirements etc- might be eased.
"So for the moment the situation remains the same and regrettably therefore we have to repeat our advice that bothies should not
be used.
“We fully understand that this will be disappointing news for many bothy users."
He said Government announcements were being “closely monitored” so that bothies could open “just as soon as it is safe to do so”.
Mr Birch added: “While we cannot at present put a date on when that will be, we’re looking forward to the day when we can fully resume our maintenance activities and when those who enjoy the wild and lonely places can once again visit these special buildings.”