Luxury Bothy Experience? The Red House Bothy, Cairngorms!

Welcome to our latest bothy adventure! Join us as we venture into the Cairngorms National Park to explore the newly renovated Red House Bothy (Ruighe Ealasaid).
In December 2022, the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) finished the monumental task of reviving the Red House Bothy from its almost disrepair state, transforming it into possibly Scotland's finest mountain refuge. In this video, we'll take you on a short hike from the scenic Linn of Dee near Braemar.
Accompanied by Luna the Staffy, I'll provide you with an insider's tour of the Red House Bothy, showcasing its restored charm and inviting atmosphere. From its rugged exterior to the cozy interior, you'll witness firsthand the remarkable transformation brought about by the dedicated efforts of the MBA.
Finally - I'll also share our initial impressions of the Flextail Zero mattress R05 (regular) during our stay at the bothy and provide you with an honest opinion of this new mattress.
💤 Sleeping pad: LINK: bit.ly/49E9fNc
🤑 Discount Code: Wallace15
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information in my videos is correct, I cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Hiking and wild camping can be dangerous and you head out at your own risk. Please ensure you’re adventure smart before heading out:
1: Do you have the right gear?
2: Do you know what the weather will be like?
3: Are you confident you have the right skills and knowledge for the day?
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[@WalkWithWallace]

☕ Hey folks, If you enjoy my stuff, why not buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/WalkWithWallace

[@hikingsolo]

That looks excellent! I was there a couple of years ago when they were still building, on my tribute to Andrew hike. 'This would make a great bothy someday', he said, and well, he'd be delighted to see what they've done with the place. Luvly! Thanks for the video Robin 🥾

[@WalkWithWallace]

I’ll need to watch back his video, is that where he was worried about taking water from the campsite heading up from Blair Atholl?

[@hikingsolo]

@@WalkWithWallace I think it's in 'Braemar to Pitlochry via Blair Atholl - Part 1 (A Washout)'. But he visited a number of times.

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@hikingsolo found it earlier. 😊

[@lost_in_TheLakes]

As far as bothys go thats a big place

[@WalkWithWallace]

Your typical two room Scottish bothy. They’ve done a really nice job.

[@EllipticDawid25]

nice pal ♥it

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers mucker! 😎

[@bonpecheur4565]

Hello Robin , nice little hike to a superbos bothy . When you said that you found your mat a little bit slippery , I thought that maybe you could buy a piece of non-slip material to put over it , it wouldn't take too much place . Only a piece to cover the half section of your mat . Thanks for the video , and nice doggy !

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Bon, I’ve actually got some of that stuff somewhere. Does work to an extent. Can get the anti slip stuff for going under rugs too.

[@jamesbell6889]

Nice wee bothy tour Robin. As you said, what a job they've done with that place, was a total shell when I last passed by there in 2019 I think. Proper 5 star bothy now. Hope folk look after it well since it's fairly close to Linn of Dee car park 🙏

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers James, touch wood the bothy seems to be respected, it’s good that it attracts a lot of responsible thru hikers too, so not a total drinking den. The NT Rangers keep an eye on it too I believe.

[@janiebuchanan9817]

Enjoyed watching! The bothy looks really good, Luna looks to be a great travel and hiking companion, laughed at her farting in the car!😂

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Janie 😎 lol aye she’s a wee stinker.

[@DAoutdoors]

Hi Robin, what an amazing transformation. The MBA have done a grand job on that place. All the best mate, Dave z😀🥾⛰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Dave, on of the best imho, so warm 🔥

[@leecooper1612]

Nice wee video Robin. That bothy is amazing, what a transformation! Can’t believe it’s 6 years ago we were all camped there! Cheers 👍🏻

[@WalkWithWallace]

That was one of my favourite trips like. Can do those hills in a long day. We took 2 days to enjoy it.

[@leecooper1612]

It was a cracking trip!! ❤

[@BurtReynoldstash]

Class bothy with the drying rack

[@WalkWithWallace]

My Gran had one like that in her kitchen, clothes stunk of cooking smells 😀

[@steveflett8379]

Really fancied a night there it looks amazing, but like you I was waiting for it to calm down after opening. Great to see you out with the dug again 🐶

[@WalkWithWallace]

Go a school night I reckon, that was my thinking. Luna loves these trips. 🐕

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Nice one. Thank you.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Thank you 🤩

[@ootnboots]

Good stuff Robin , you are right they have done some job with that building from the last time we were there . One on the list for myself ...Nice one mate ..cheers Stevie

[@WalkWithWallace]

Guid one for the dogs midweek mate. That Geldie trip was a classic.

[@barrieshaw5465]

Superb, past the bothy and a had a chat with the guys building it half way through its rebirth, got to say what cracking job, well done all involved......

[@WalkWithWallace]

Superb job from the MBA, such a fine location for many thru hikes and Munro bagging.

[@andrewkingdom]

Fantastic bothy the MBA are to be commended excellent cheers

[@WalkWithWallace]

The NKBA are taking notes for the people. 😜

[@andrewkingdom]

@@WalkWithWallace 😂

[@andrewkingdom]

Bulletproof bothies

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@andrewkingdom big door resembling a bank vault. 😀

[@andrewkingdom]

lol 😂

[@redmanwalking74]

Looks like a cracking bothy Robin. Sure those beds will be filled every weekend following your video. 😊👍 G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@WalkWithWallace]

Ha, cheers G and quite possibly 😄

[@grahamswildcamping]

Many thanks for showing the bothy. I'll mark it up for a future trip, atvb, Graham 👍

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers G, definitely worth a visit 🔥

[@anthonypayne1]

Amazing job done there Robin! Thanks for showing us around👍👍

[@WalkWithWallace]

Thanks Tony, hope you’re keeping well mate.

[@thelifeofbrian282]

MBA have done an amazing job on the bothy Robin 👏 the Flex tail sleeping mat looks interesting, good R value, bit bulky looking but plenty room to move around mmm 🤔 nice to see Luna 🐕 enjoying herself 👍 atb Brian 👍

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Brian, to be fair on the Flextail its not that bulky when you factor in the R value 😁Luna is loving the bothy trips, maybe a camping trip next.

[@Pferret_Weasel]

Cracking video again mate 👏

[@WalkWithWallace]

Thank you. 😎

[@Jennifer.4]

That bothy looks really good, I would certainly like to make a visit. I hope you managed to take both your poles home this time!

[@WalkWithWallace]

You definitely should, maybe on a school night when it’s quieter. I left the poles at home for that reason 😆

[@Jennifer.4]

@@WalkWithWallace My husband and I usually do things on week days. We are well within the pensionable age group!

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@Jennifer.4 Ideal if toy have that luxury. :)

[@BookerT555]

Great to see the bothy up and running, I did a through hike to Kingussie in summer 2022 (similar to one you did I think) and it was being constructed, they’ve done a great job as you say, some distance to get all the materials transported there too! What a job for all of us to enjoy for years to come. Great video as always 👍

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers mate, yeah I did Blair Atholl to Kingussie as a CWT warm up. Loved the section between the Red House and Feshie. Quite wild and remote. Top bothy, one of the best.

[@ScottishSummiteer]

Hi mate, was great to meet you out on the trail. Loved the video, such a good job they did with the bothy. All the best 😊

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers mate, the Scottish hills are certainly a small world 😁

[@timothyewart8160]

Had the good fortune a few weeks ago to stay in the Red House and the MBA team that carried out the majority of the refurbishment were there doing maintenance on the loo’s. I had the opportunity to thank them for doing such a wonderful job but also was able to experience a true wild and legendary Bothy night….. I can tell you the cycle back to the car the next morning was quite an arduous exercise. I said “Hi” to Iain at Forestways for you btw.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Haha, a few drams that evening I take it. 🥃 Was Iain’s chat good?

[@WyeExplorer]

That's one mint Bothy Robin and you knew it when it was a messy kid yet to wear its finery. Great to see the chaps in there doing the thru hike. I can imagine the chat being friendly, adventurous and fun. Good going. Mark

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Mark, they traveled from Cornwall for that thru hike. Fair play. 😎

[@WyeExplorer]

@@WalkWithWallace A pleasure Robin. Wow, good on them - all that way.

[@murchiesmountains2820]

Nice one Robin 😍👍..The Bothy looks great mate 😁👌🏻..Nice wide mat that as well 😁..Never been there before so that’s maybe one for the summer…Probably rammed then though 😂..Like the jacket by the way 😉..Cool video mate 😁 Cheers Murchie

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Murchio, definitely wanna do this one on a school night mate. Lol @ jacket 😄

[@murchiesmountains2820]

@@WalkWithWallace 😁👍

[@mad-about-scotland]

Cracking mate, just watched that through my lunch at work. enjoyable video and a smashing Bothy. Im away to play Jimi Hendrix 'Red House' :) Cheers, Donny

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Donny and hope you enjoyed a bit of Hendrix too 🎸

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

Another great vid. Love Scotland. Nice Bothy. Bogs and shower included. I think I saw the original vid but may be wrong.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers EggNog, you may remember the rave at Geldie after doing the Munros 😆

[@themunrobagger]

Nice 1 Robin, looks a cracking bothy mate 👍

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Tam. 🏚️ 🔥

[@Kev_Russ]

Nice one mate. Wee Luna 😍What a difference since our trip eh. Looks cracking like. Mare free gear eh. 😏 Got you up on the big telly. B & aw the dugs are asleep 😂

[@WalkWithWallace]

Haha, things you have to do to sneak a bit of KZbin in if there are dogs involved. 😆

[@DaveGoodman1959]

Thanks for showing me around Robin I checked the location and if I’m brave enough my plans for a section of the SNT very soon will take me past the front door. ATB 👍

[@WalkWithWallace]

Ah brilliant Dave, which section you hoping to do? I thoroughly recommend Blair Atholl to Aviemore.

[@DaveGoodman1959]

@@WalkWithWallace pytlochry to fort Augustus Robin then I will have almost completed Home in Leicester to Cape Wrath. Looks like the weather is improving. ATB

[@WalkWithWallace]

Excellent, enjoy mate. 👣

[@ScottishMunroJourney]

Nice one Robin, I’m not a huge fan of staying in bothys but this one looks decent.. I passed it last Thursday morning when I was heading out to a few Munros, it looked quite busy!

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers James, nah bothies aren’t for everyone and there’s particular ones I would avoid at the weekend. I prefer camping but not been lucky enough to get the weather this year. Did you bike into Geldie Lodge for the 2 remote Munros?

[@ScottishMunroJourney]

@@WalkWithWallace weather has been rubbish so far.. can imagine it has been terrible for camping as its constantly windy 😅 yes mate the two remote ones, was a fair slog but got half decent weather

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@ScottishMunroJourneyyes totally, hopefully this weekend 🤞🏼. Going by your socials, I take it you can get out midweek more often?

[@ScottishMunroJourney]

@@WalkWithWallace yeah looks good for weekend 👍 aye most of my hikes are through the week, hills are nice and quiet

[@WalkWithWallace]

Lucky bugger, always look like you get the hills to yourself, mind you so do I as hardly anyone does the Corbetts 😅

[@MUNROSnCORBETTS]

Now thats some difference Just hope its respected by the people who use it :) Would love to see Derry Lodge made into something similar or even a youth hostel lovely big building just sitting doing nothing.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Peter, aye it would be good to see Derry Lodge converted into a rustic hostel, it’s a fine building.

[@james-kinnear]

Looks good Robin, Intend to pop in /stay on way to or back from Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch- when i get round to them. Atb J

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheeky overnighter or just pop your head in for a nose?

[@james-kinnear]

Probably a late arrival for an early start to get ahead of the crowds! Not for a while yet though; am off the hills until late June

[@WalkWithWallace]

Enjoy when the time comes around. 😎

[@chrisselley-k1v]

Another great video How did you like the sleeping Ta

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers mate, the sleeping mat was seriously comfortable but it’s got a puncture already using it this weekend. Possibly accidental damage from the dog I don’t know.

[@RossMcEwan-sk8rf]

Much as I love wee Luna where’s the wee man ? I miss Kev 😢 Tremendous bothy ( which I’ve yet to visit ) and really enjoyed the vlog mate .

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cheers Rossco, we’re long overdue a trip. Fingers crossed get Kev back out this weekend. 🤞🏼

[@RossMcEwan-sk8rf]

@@WalkWithWallace 😎

[@Karen-dq8nw]

I have found some mats so slippery that I have fallen off the bunk beds in a rental cabin (similar to your bothy). Both from the bottom bunk and the top! ouch. Beautiful work on that bothy.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Oooft, that hasn’t happened to me. *Touches wood. I’ve painted silicone strips to the underside of some of my mats, then dirt sticks to it. Can’t win! 😣

[@johnthomson7717]

Hi - why have you changed from the InReach Mini to the Zoleo? Are you still not happy with the inReach after it failed on the Cape Wrath?

[@WalkWithWallace]

To be fair to Garmin they replaced the unit that failed on the CWT, but I did lose confidence in it as the inReach wouldn’t take a charge off a power bank. Zoleo gifted me a unit to try (and a few others) over a year ago and I really can’t fault it.

[@BrokenBackMountains]

Nice to see it all done up. Walked past it a few times when it was a shell. It looks splendid. Bogs as well...I could probabypersuade the wife to stay at it along with Ruigh Aiteachain Also good to bump into Scottish summiteer. Been following his stuff. He has been in the bad weather recently and I enjoy his work. You can usually see those old crofts when up above the glens and even the run rig systems. There is often a Rowan growing which usually point to where people once lived. Luna looking lovely as usual. You shouldnt blame all the farts on her 😂

[@WalkWithWallace]

I see you’ve gone with the name change 😆 The bothy gives Ruigh Aiteachain a run for its money in the poshest bothy stakes. Done a really good job with the renovation. The ruins on Raasay have to be some of the best preserved settlements, quite eery. Luna firmly getting the blame in the car 😆

[@BrokenBackMountains]

​@@WalkWithWallaceMy paternal Grandfather was from Raasay. His mother, my Great grandmother a Macleod of Raasay until she married a Cameron😂 Scattered all over the world

[@WalkWithWallace]

Fab wee island with a fine bothy too.

[@natalieminnis]

Blame the dog 0:25 😄 She is adorable though. That bothy looks very swish! And with the Flextail - luxury.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Haha, that wasn’t staged. She was honking 🤣 The new bothy definitely gives Feshie a run for its money on being the poshest bothy.

[@natalieminnis]

@@WalkWithWallace 😂🤣

[@totomesch1940]

I'd love to be part of the crew that goes around renovating the bothies........ I'd almost do it for free........ Almost! How are those ME Saltoro pants Robin? I got some about 4 months ago but am yet to wear them in anger....... Although, I'm in the UK in 10 days time for a week and a half and have about 4 days to bumble about the Highlands, cannae wait. ATB

[@WalkWithWallace]

They’re always looking for work party volunteers. I could make cups of tea and sweep the floor 😅 No complaints on the waterproofs troos mate. 👍🏻

[@totomesch1940]

@@WalkWithWallace Thanks for taking the time to reply, good to hear that the pants are up to spec. ATB

[@WalkWithWallace]

😎 👍🏻

[@lalo4224]

Guess a new Scottish bothy won’t have a wood burner….. shame.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Ah do you mean with the new legislation? Surely a loophole if the existing building already has a fireplace and chimney, you just go with an open fire instead?

[@Gintelligence]

I dont like it that you let that dog run free ,like that, if i`m hiking in the area and it starts running towards me i aint going to assume its friendly, its a pitbull for fuck sakes

[@WalkWithWallace]

She is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, one of the most people friendly dogs you can get. It’s also worth pointing out that Pitbulls are banned in the UK. If she runs towards someone I’ll recall her.

[@acnud]

I stayed in it last year walking Blair Atholl to Aviemore and it was very warm.

[@WalkWithWallace]

The insulation is first class, we had the temperature up to 25°c without any coal 🔥