Abyssinia Bothy - The Bothy Tapes

Bothy experiences from 3 nights in Abyssinia Bothy. Tales of the hauntings are in the Beginner's Video (linked below). This video is detailing bothy life as I pootle about the Scottish Countryside and muse on Bothy Culture.
Beginner's guide (with haunting stories) - • Bothying for Beginners...
Article here - www.scottishto...

[@timsands7288]

What you are saying about people respecting the natural environment and leaving no trace is not just an issue for bothies. Its also a big issue on the motorhome community where again some abuse the principle of leave no trace or stop in inappropriate places. You also see people leaving a mess after wild camping, you are doing a great job in capturing the joys of wild places and bothy life

[@scottishtones]

It's an odd scenario as it only takes one or two folk to make a big mess and that in turn seems to grant license to others to do the same. I have no experience with the campervan world, but I was a little shocked at some of the litter on the west highland way when I walked it. I guess it's about encouraging folk to do the right thing as well as having conversations about what the right things are. Thank you very much. They're beautiful places and amazing experiences that are fun to share.

[@MrDWat3]

Another brilliant video, good sir. The article on your website is beautifully written, as well, and man... those photos are just stellar! I'll have to poke around your site more to check out your other adventures. It's a shame that your stay in Abyssinia was tainted by the misuse of irresponsible bothy-goers. I loved your reflections on bothy-culture and the pros and cons of "gatekeeping," if you will. I've thought a lot about this sort of thing when it comes to punk rock culture or horror film culture. There's something profound to be said of a movement or a lifestyle that begins in obscurity, only to then find itself suddenly popular and in the limelight. Once the cultural floodgates open up, the masses come in droves, and as you basically stated in the video... there's a lot of good AND bad that can come from that. Can't wait to see your next video, Tony. Keep up the amazing work. Cheers! PS: Since the bothy is rumored to be haunted, did you sense anything off kilter? Anything freaky? LOL.

[@scottishtones]

Thank you very much! It's a strange one, because one group can make a big mess. There's an inevitability about things going a bit more "mainstream" and I guess it's about working to maintain and evolve the culture rather than entrench it. Nothing too freaky. There was some scratching through the night, the door lock really needs jammed closed as I found out when it blew open and my mind raced through supernatural possibilities before calmly assuming (hoping) I was being daft.

[@hysicdp]

Always leave stuff people can use and make it cleaner than when you arrived :)

[@scottishtones]

Absolutely. It's an easy temptation to burn what's left of the fuel. Arriving in the cold and dark to find some kind soul has left some is always revives the faith in humanity. I remember at Shenavall someone had left proper coal and after a long walk in it was a sight for sore eyes and a treat for cold feet.

[@spudmurphy9264]

Great video.

[@john-wick101]

Good vid 👍

[@scottishtones]

Thanks, man!

[@rufussengi1063]

Maybe someone who knows all about it could make a little booklet of advice and how tos to leave for those who just don’t know but would want to behave properly if they did. Or an ebooklet with one of those codes you can scan with your phone or something.

[@scottishtones]

This is a pretty good idea, especially in the ones that have signal to allow for it. A lot of the notice boards have really good information on them and there are a lot of pointers which often go unheeded. On the whole most folk tend to leave little to no trace, this one was just in the aftermath of a few bad visitors and got me a little down which comes across in the video a bit more than I intended. It was still a lovely time and I felt better for taking away some of the rubbish so there's that at least.

[@greggoodes]

Cant take any more. Join the boy scouts.

[@OldStag72]

I think your videos are a credit to bothies sir, it's not like you are advertising non MBA bothies. I imagine Abysinnia suffers due to its accessibility by car, I don't drive so it is pretty hard for me to get to.

[@scottishtones]

Thank you very much. Abyssinia is an odd one. It's not in the Bothy book but it is the bothy where I've seen the greatest evidence of misuse, which wasn't what I was expecting. It's a nice one and very well cared for. I spoke with Peter and Victor (the MOs) and they have a lot of passion about the bothy and its story too. I reckon I'll go for one of the island ones next as I've yet to explore much beyond Rùm.

[@OldStag72]

@@scottishtones Can I put in a request here? The Beehive bothy on the Southern Upland Way. It's my favourite one.

[@scottishtones]

@OldStag72 absolutely. The trip.to Abyssinia was a suggestion as well so I'd love to explore some new places from those in the know!

[@john-wick101]

​@@scottishtones This old stag guy hasn't set foot out of the city centre never mind pitched a tent. Never mind him