Mountain Bothies Association
{{Short description|Scottish registered charity}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2018}}
The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) is a Scottish registered charity.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oscr.org.uk/search/charity-details?number=SC008685#results |title=Office of The Scottish Charity Regulator - Charity Details |website=www.oscr.org.uk |publisher=OSCR |access-date=17 January 2018}} It looks after 104 bothies and two emergency mountain shelters (not to be mistaken for or confused with a mountain hut, as the Fords of Avon and Garbh Choire refuges are little more than a heavily weather protected shed).{{Cite web |url=https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Bothy-list.pdf |title=Mountain Bothies Association - Chronological Bothy List |website=www.mountainbothies.org.uk |publisher=Mountain Bothies Association |access-date=17 January 2018}} Of these, only two bothies (Over Phawhope and Glen Pean) are owned by the charity. The remainder are maintained with the agreement and encouragement of the owners. The majority are in Scotland with the remainder in Wales and Northern England.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothies/location-map/ |title=Mountain Bothies Association - Location Map |website=www.mountainbothies.org.uk |publisher=Mountain Bothies Association |access-date=17 January 2018}} These may be stayed in without charge.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/faq.asp |title=Mountain Bothies Association : FAQ |website=www.mountainbothies.org.uk |publisher=Mountain Bothies Association |access-date=29 April 2017}}
The object of the charity is to maintain simple shelters in remote country for the use and benefit of all who love wild and lonely places. All maintenance work is financed from the MBA's own resources, mainly membership subscriptions supplemented by donations from benefactors, some of whom wish to commemorate a relative or friend who was a hillwalker or climber.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/about-the-mba/ |title=Mountain Bothies Association - About the MBA |website=www.mountainbothies.org.uk |publisher=Mountain Bothies Association |access-date=17 January 2018}}
Bothies sometimes have an outside toilet but the majority do not. When this is not the case a toilet spade and guidance as to the appropriate disposal of toilet waste are provided within the bothy. Raised platforms or bunks may have been installed for sleeping, but this is not always the case. The floor, particularly an attic floor, may also be suitable to sleep on with the aid of a sleeping pad. Visitors are expected to stay for no more than a night or two before moving on.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothies/using-a-bothy/ |title=Mountain Bothies Association - Using a Bothy |website=www.mountainbothies.org.uk |publisher=Mountain Bothies Association |access-date=17 January 2018}} Groups of six or more and commercial groups are not allowed.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothy-code.asp |title=Mountain Bothies Association UK - bothy and shelters, Bothy Code |website=www.mountainbothies.org.uk |publisher=Mountain Bothies Association |access-date=29 April 2017}}
History
The MBA was founded by Bernard Heath in 1965.{{Cite news |last=Hutchison |first=Colin |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/14447401.Basic_but_brilliant_-_Scotland_s_bothy_bounty/ |title=Basic but brilliant - Scotland's bothy bounty |date=23 April 2016 |work=The Herald |access-date=20 June 2018}} He was inspired by a comment by Alan Murdock in the visitors' book at Backhill of Bush. He first organised the restoration that summer of the ruined farmhouse at Tunskeen as an unlocked shelter, and then with Alan called the meeting on 28 December 1965 in Dalmellington at which the MBA was formed, "To maintain simple unlocked shelters in remote mountain country for the use of hillwalkers, climbers and other genuine outdoor enthusiasts who love the wild and lonely places".Press release by Bernard Heath and Alan Murdock, October 1965
In 1975 the MBA became a registered charity. In 1998, the Association was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, still remaining a registered charity.
{{As of|2018|4}}, the MBA had a membership of around 4,300. They receive a quarterly newsletter and annual report, but do not have any privileged rights (i.e. the bothies themselves are equally open to all).
Structure
=Maintenance Organisers=
Each bothy has one Maintenance Organiser (or, in some cases, a small team of two or three), who monitor the bothy and arrange routine maintenance. MOs are the lifeblood of the organisation.
=Area Organisers=
- Northern Highlands
- North West Highlands and Islands
- Western Highlands and Islands
- Central Highlands
- South West Highlands and Islands
- Eastern Highlands
- Southern Scotland
- Northern England and Borders
- Wales
The Maintenance Organisers of the bothies in each area form the respective Area Committees. Each committee elects an Area Organiser to chair their meetings and to coordinate the work of the Area.
=Project Organisers=
Project Organisers run a particular renovation or major maintenance project. This is a short-term responsibility, unlike that of a Maintenance Organiser.
= Board of trustees =
The Board of Trustees is directly elected by the members. It has control over the finances and is responsible for managing the company.
=Bothies under MBA care and management=
{{Main|List of Mountain Bothies Association bothies}}
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{Cite book |last=Mountain Bothies Association |title=Members' Handbook |edition=3rd}}
- {{Cite book |last=Mountain Bothies Association |title=Annual Report |edition=2009}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- {{Scottish charity|SC008685}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Charities based in Scotland
Category:Sports organisations of Scotland
Category:Conservation in Scotland