Bothy

A bothy is a basic shelter, usually left unlocked and available for anyone to use free of charge. It was also a term for basic accommodation, usually for gardeners or other workers on an estate. Bothies are found in remote mountainous areas of Scotland, Northern England, Ulster and Wales. They are particularly common in the Scottish Highlands, but related buildings can be found around the world (for example, in the Nordic countries there are wilderness huts). A bothy was also a semi-legal drinking den on the Isle of Lewis. These, such as Bothan Eòrapaidh, were used until recent years as gathering points for local men and were often situated in an old hut or caravan.

In Scots law, bothies are defined in law as:

_{a building of no more than two storeys which—}

_{(a)does not have any form of—}

_{(i)mains electricity,}

_{(ii)piped fuel supply, and}

_{(iii)piped mains water supply,}

_{(b)is 100 metres or more from the nearest public road (within the meaning of section 151 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984(9)), and}

_{(c)is 100 metres or more from the nearest habitable building}

Any such building is exempt from council tax and from legislation requiring registration for letting purposes.