If you’re walking in the Scottish wilderness and you see wet and windy weather coming ever closer – would you know to look out for a bothy?
In case you weren’t aware, bothies are essentially free-to-use empty cottages, made to shelter hikers from the elements or offer short overnight stays, acting as a lifeline for both novice and experienced hill walkers.
So, where does Jewson fit in? Our Timber Support Team recently joined forces with the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) to provide a much-needed upgrade one of these invaluable shelters – The Dryfehead Bothy near Lockerbie.
Bothies aren’t built to offer much in terms of luxury, but Jewson and the MBA worked together to create a space which is both warm and comfortable for users.
At Dryfehead Bothy, our colleagues – together with timber specialist, James Jones & Sons Ltd, donated materials and the labour needed to renovate one of the rooms in the bothy so more walkers can take refuge there, or just pause for a while to enjoy nature’s splendour in this scenic location.
We supplied insulation and a team of volunteers to help keep the room extra warm and heat efficient, especially when the open fire is roaring. James Jones & Sons Ltd donated Douglas Fir timber to internally clad and floor the room.
Jack Sutcliffe, Jewson Timber Support Manager, explained: “Bothies are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Sometimes the shelter they provide can prove to be a lifesaver.
“The weather can transform in an instant in the mountains, so if you’re out and about it’s important to know whether there’s a bothy nearby. This upgrade of Dryfehead Bothy means it will offer warm, comfortable shelter for hikers, for years to come.”
Alan MacDonald, MBA Area Organiser for Southern Scotland, said: “Thanks to the fabulous support from James Jones & Sons Ltd and Jewson, the MBA has been able to upgrade half of the bothy at Dryfehead near Lockerbie to a standard we’ve never seen before.
“Jewson’s Jack Sutcliffe was instrumental in bringing together not only a significant donation of materials from Jewson and James Jones & Sons Ltd, but also in facilitating the labour needed to carry out the upgrade. A huge round of thanks goes to him for his time, his drive and his persistence and to the five very cheery helpers from Jewson who gave up their time to help us get the job done.
“We were blessed with perfect weather and with brighter times ahead, we hope the many visitors to Dryfehead Bothy will be able to enjoy their new and improved accommodation.”
