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Climbing Bothy at ALLT-NA-GIUBHSAICH

Spittal of Glenmuick, Aberdeenshire

The bothy is the property of the Royal Estate of Balmoral and, as such, users of the bothy are guests on their land. Users of the bothy should therefore conduct themselves accordingly, respect the environment, and thereby safeguard the continued use of this most valuable facility by future generations of University staff and students.

Anyone found responsible of damaging the property, the land or trees in the area, or any other misdemeanour, will be brought before a Disciplinary Committee.

Booking Conditions

The bothy may be booked only by those groups or individuals as stipulated. It is not deemed suitable for children.

If you are interested in booking the bothy, please contact the Estates Section, University Office, Old Aberdeen, Telephone 272063 or email estates@abdn.ac.uk

The deposit and the fees must be paid in full on collection of the key.

Deposit: £10 per group

Fees: Students... £5 per person, per night

Staff... £8 per person, per night

On your return, the key, along with the First Aid kit, must be returned to Estates Section office during normal working hours. If the key is not returned within 24 hours, the deposit will be lost.

There is a maximum capacity of 12 persons. Please note that bookings will be taken until the bothy is full so you may not have exclusive access.

Approach and Access

From Ballater, take the road south through Glen Muick for 15 km. Vehicles must be left in the Spittal of Glenmuick large car park at the end of this public road (GR 310851). From the car park walk through the wood past the visitor centre, turn immediately right (signposted), and follow the private unsurfaced road across the Muick to the T-junction beside a barn. Turn left, and then after 50 metres, fork right. The climbing hut is situated 90 metres further on (GR 298858), behind and to the left of the large lodge (last building on right - Grey door).

The Glen road is often blocked by snow in winter. Ploughs usually keep the road open up to the cattle grid at the end of the wooded section of the Glen (GR 328890). In snowy weather it is sometimes advisable to park the vehicle in a lay-by some 45 metres short of the cattle grid. You must not park in front of the gate and you must leave room for the snowplough to turn. From here, you can walk to the hut, by the public road - a distance of approx. 6 Km.

We recommend you take Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps covering the surrounding area. They are Sheet 44 - Ballater and Sheet 43 - Braemar.

Use of Hut

KEYS - The keys provided open the front door. The keys for the toilet and the woodshed are kept on a peg in the hallway.

WATER - The water supply to the hut and toilet is from a natural water well and is untreated. Water quality cannot be guaranteed and all users must supply their own drinking water. The water must be shut off and drained internally to avoid frozen pipes. The valve brace is kept in the hallway.

TOILET - The toilet is attached to the main building, situated at the back of the hut. Please note that toilet paper is not supplied.

ELECTRICITY - There is an electricity meter for lighting and cooking which takes £1 coins.

HEATING There are two wood stoves. Once lit and warmed, the wood stoves burn most economically when shut down. In this way the fire may be kept lit and warm through the night and during the day. Do not waste wood by continued burning with the vents and door open.

WOOD - The woodshed is the FIRST ON THE LEFT of three doors in the outbuildings to the rear of the hut. The equipment for splitting logs can be found in the bothy. All chopping and sawing of wood must be done in the woodshed or in the immediate vicinity outside the woodshed. Please ensure that a small quantity of logs and kindling is kept inside the Hut by each stove so that dry wood is always available. DO NOT REMOVE WOOD FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE.

SMOKE ALARM - On your arrival, please test the smoke alarm situated in the hall. Replacement batteries are kept in the kitchen drawer.

KITCHEN AREA - Crockery, cutlery and utensils are provided. Cleaning materials are kept under the sink. Mop and brush are also available. Please leave clean and tidy, especially the food preparation, cooking and eating areas. Do not leave any food behind.

LITTER - Please be vigilant - persistent litter and at worse, vandalism of mountain huts leads to complaints from landowners. This can lead to access problems and, at worst, closure of the bothy completely. Please co-operate and take all litter and rubbish away with you.

ROUTE BOOK - Briefly write down details of your group, and the date, time and destination of your climb and whether successfully completed.

GENERAL - Please leave all rucksacks, climbing gear, etc. in the hallway. The hanging racks downstairs can be used to effectively dry wet clothes overnight. On no account must boots or outside footwear ever be worn upstairs. Groups are advised to take along training shoes / indoor footwear to wear indoors. Please try to contain snow and wet to the hallway area and brush / mop as required.

No camp fires or barbecues permitted.