Red House bothy renovation complete as Cairngorms shelter opens for use
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A new bothy in a remote spot in the Cairngorms has opened after volunteers completed renovations on the building.
Ruighe Ealasaid – the Red House – stands beside the Geldie Burn on the Mar Lodge Estate west of Braemar.
The Mountain Bothies Association, whose volunteers completed the work, said the building is in a prime location for hillwalkers aiming for two Munros, An Sgarsoch and Carn an Fhidhleir, at the head of Tarf Water.
"The bothy is situated in the southern Cairngorms in a prime location for hillwalkers bagging the two Munros at the head of the Tarff. It is also in an important position for those following one of several long distance routes through the mountains," it said.
Mar Lodge Estate, Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve, is made up of more than 29,000 hectares, including heather-covered moorland, Caledonian pine forest, towering mountains and the Quoich wetlands, home to wading birds and otters.
There are 15 Munros – mountains over 3000ft – on the estate. The beautiful ancient pinewoods are home to red squirrels and pine martens as well as birds such as the crossbill and black grouse. There are a wide range of landscape conservation projects under way, including woodland regeneration, footpath repair and reducing the damage caused to woodland by red deer.
MBA chairman Simon Birch said of the bothy restoration: “I want to thank the volunteers who have made this project happen.
“They have transformed a former shieling which had become derelict and in a dangerous condition into a wind and watertight bothy complete with adjacent toilet facilities. It will be a valuable resource for walkers visiting this remote area, one where poor weather regularly occurs, best instanced by the fact that over the two years of work parties these volunteers have come to the aid of a number of walkers who have found themselves in difficulties."
It is believed that Ruighe Ealasaid was built in the late 1700s or early 1800s, most probably as accommodation for a shepherd. It fell out of use in the first half of the 20th century and over the years became an informal bothy.
It was used in this way until the 1960s and gradually became increasingly derelict. It got its name, the Red House, from its corrugated iron roof which rusted.
The MBA charity maintains over 100 bothies and two emergency shelters, with more than 80 of the sites in Scotland. There is no charge to use the shelters.
Meanwhile, the MBA says that A’Chuil bothy – at Glen Dessarry near Knoydart – will be closed from April 24-28 to allow a work party to fit a stove, re-line the chimney and carry out other necessary works.
