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My sister wants to organise a small trek for some family members of her partner.
Between the mother and son (14) there are some quite significant health and mobility issues, nothing life threatening but just require consideration.
What she wants to do is take them on a hike/trek with the end goal being somewhere to stay like a bothy. In terms of mobility think sticks and no carrying of luggage. There needs to be a path of sorts but it doesn't have to be perfect.
In terms lf accomodation its needs to have a toilet which pretty much kills any MBA bothies that aren't already over subscribed. The reason for the toilet is an accessibility issue. So private bothy or alternatives sought.
As an added bonus there is a potential for two Scandinavian ponies (not sure, swedish ardennes maybe) adept in hills etc and more than hardy enough to be corralled for the night.
Location realistically is going to be whats available but for i for they are all based in aberdeenshire.
Anyone any ideas?
Stag Bothy on Alvie Estate (South of Aviemore) has a bothy that's a short walk, I've not used it so I sure about toilet. They do make it available for private use though.
Other than that, maybe a cottage on Ardverikie Estate. A bit s****ier.
I reckon your many issue is remote with toilet.
Stag Bothy on Alvie Estate (South of Aviemore) has a bothy that's a short walk, I've not used it so I sure about toilet. They do make it available for private use though.
Other than that, maybe a cottage on Ardverikie Estate. A bit s****ier.
I reckon your many issue is remote with toilet.
Yeah the remote with toilet is for sure the issue. I guess ot doesn't have to actually be that remote if a remote walk is an option.
For private use of toilet I would search for camping barns. Internet search finds a few in Scotland. South of the border there is the infamous YHA Black Sail that can be booked exclusively at some times of the year.
Bringing ponies seems a complication, where would they park with a horse box? If it's a small group (i.e. just one other adult to carry bedding, clothes, food) would a place with road access (so someone could drop off items) but planned walk in and out be 'remote' or 'wild' enough? e.g. https://dodgsonwood.co.uk/lake-district-accommodation/
Some of the mountaineering clubs have their own huts which you can (partially??) book if you are a member. My nephew did this for his stag do. the one he used had a proper loo but otherwise would not fit your wishes being close to the road
Some camp sites have " bothies" as well. I.e a bunkhouse type set.up. That may fit the brief.
Esp if the campsite is on a farm or similar. With the facilities you need as well.
Edit. We passed a Mountain Hut on the Kintail Trail which had a land-rover track from the main road at Morvich. Great location. The hut looked OK.
Bringing ponies seems a complication, where would they park with a horse box? If it's a small group (i.e. just one other adult to carry bedding, clothes, food) would a place with road access (so someone could drop off items) but planned walk in and out be 'remote' or 'wild' enough? e.g.
Horses are just an added bonus. They don't need a barn though thing hard as nails mountain horse.
The road thing is kind of the point in the exercise. Getting every where by road is the standard so getting into somewhere a bit more remote feeling would make a big change. A estate track would be better than turning left on a tarmac road if you see what i mean.
I am aware this is a tricky task but it's the kind of thing this place excels at especially as if its been visited or used theres atleast a first hand account.
there are rental cottages on the glen tilt track you can drive to with permission
Pillars of Hercules campsite at Falkland might be worth a consideration. It is camping so tents and camping gear a must, however, car park on site so all the gear can be left in the car. Decent toilet and shower block available on site as well.
East and West Lomond Hills right on the edge of the camping field...Maspie Den is a lovely walk but is a steep path (although the waterfall path doesn't feel quite as steep as there are plenty stairs).
Ooh - bunkhouses, yurts etc. Theres a thought. Mathrown of Mabie has 3 or 4 yurts, each with its own shower, loo etc. You can get a car and gear to them, or walk in (couple of miles or so up the forest roads) from the cycle centre carpark. Not sure what they'd make of hosses, though.
Edit. We passed a Mountain Hut on the Kintail Trail which had a land-rover track from the main road at Morvich. Great location. The hut looked OK.
Probably this place. That does look like it might fit the brief
https://eumc.eusu.ed.ac.uk/facilities/hut/
So who is carrying the bags? As a minimum carrying sleeping bag and mat plus food and stove. Probably water (if there’s health conditions streams might not be ideal). In all but the mildest conditions perhaps some fuel for the fire.
personally I don’t think she wants a bothy! She wants a romanticised version of a bothy. There may be dogs, people smoking, last bothy I was in was reeking of weed.
is Corour youth hostel too populated? No roads but there is a train station!
I think there are companies offering a multi day horse trail experience, having never ridden one I didn’t explore the details and whether you can bring your own horse or if anyone does a self guided option with sensible parking place for horse and human each day. Feels like there should be.
Might be worth enquiring at the adaptiveriderscollective.org? There is a film on the site about visiting a bothy with an adaptive bike.
Are the ponies (Fjords?) used to carry kit?
Black Sail yha is a good shout, has both easy and difficult acces routes. In a wonderful location!
Skiddaw house, affiliated yha, also worth considering, another great location with easier and harder access routes.
personally I don’t think she wants a bothy! She wants a romanticised version of a bothy. There may be dogs, people smoking, last bothy I was in was reeking of weed.
With respect she does know what she wants she knows them very well and has a good idea of capability etc. Bothys cover much more than an MBA bothy in the cairngorms on a bankholiday weekend. The problem is with the requirements as they are that its very case by case for what might be suitable. There will be compromises to be made i am sure but there is a chance that someone will pipe up with something to consider.
Some of the disability mean there are some requirements for some dignity at the other end. Stashing some stuff in advance etc is something wider family will happily do to make it happen there would be a note explaining why its stashed and not just dumped stuff.
Re suggestions. Both Pillars of Hercules thanks youth hostel are on the list already thanks. Some other good suggestions that i have forwarded.
The problem is with the requirements as they are that its very case by case for what might be suitable
this place was featured on the BBC Pilgrimage TV series last night, ok more hostel than bothy but has remoteness and loos!
https://independenthostels.co.uk/members/chartnersfarm/
looked good to me, ideal for small groups.
Have a word with Charles? IIRC Gelder Stables and Ghlas Allt Shiel both have loos (flushable with bucket) and are on tracks, and Royals do like a horse or two...
Pillars of Hercules have a "bothy" too.
Either the SHYA at Ossian or Glen Affric might suit. Neither is accessible by car (unless you are the Warden) but both accessible on foot or by bike.
I guess the horse is a pack horse to carry the kit. Ring the hostel and ask the warden if it might be possible.
Ossian is not too long a walk from Corrour station (don't think trains takes horses though) but would not be unreasonable for fitter members of the team to do two runs of kit from the station. I'm not sure how far the walk into Affric is as we walked in from the West over a hill. Usual approach is up the Glen.
https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/hostels/glen-affric/
https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/hostels/loch-ossian/
Already mentioned, but I immediately thought of Skiddaw House.
I'm not sure how far the walk into Affric is as we walked in from the West over a hill.
From the A87 near Cluanie, it's about 5.5 miles each way through the An Caorann Mor, and there's nearly 1000ft of climb/descent on it. Much further through Glen Affric from the east, as in about 8 miles, but with less up'n'down.
Clearddu is a bothy maintained by the Elan Valley Trust, not MBA. It is about 1 km from the tarmac in a very remote bit of Ceredigion. It has a flushing toilet. I've also seen horses corralled there overnight but perhaps check with the Elan Valley Trust beforehand.
The first 150m away from the road can be soggy but after that it's a good track.
Some really useful suggestions thanks everyone! She's off to investigate them further.
As said above glen licht house ticks all the boxes.its my ex club hut, but certainly wasn't as fancy in my day.
Just a reminder regarding the horses...
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act gives the same access rights to equestrians as it does to cyclists, walkers and runners. I'd include paddlers in that list but I don't know how stable horses are on a paddleboard.