May to September is Highland Midge season in Scotland. These small biting insects plague the highlands and in particular, the west coast during this time, meaning they also frequent Raasay. Although they are not dangerous, their bite causes itchy red bumps. Your trip doesn’t have to be ruined by midges though, just remember to arm yourself with some Smidge to keep them at bay. 5. Churchton Bay and Inverarish may well make 2 in this case but unless someone can show the working then it is simply some individuals getting an answer they want through guess work. The end result appears to align with the thoughts of some individuals so it appears to be getting used to push a point of view. This is why we publicise the work of the association and why we’re on social media now,” says Stewart. The most recent newsletter reveals that unsuccessful approaches have been made to groups of Scouts and members of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. “I think these days it’s more difficult,” says Barton. “It was easy enough for me. I had a job where you worked 9-5 and you could plan time off and knew you would get it. These kind of jobs don’t exist so much now.” Ronnie Hillbagger wrote:The owners of the MBA-maintained An Cladach bothy on Islay will be closing this bothy for 6 months a year due to information provided in the (MBA-endorsed - their logo is in the book) Scottish Bothy Bible by Geoff Allan. Surely this has to be a very sad day for our bothies and the outdoor community as a whole as a bothy will now be closed due to obvious commercialisation? The owners cannot be blamed at all for their, IMO, entirely understandable decision, but the MBA were warned over the last few years by many members that such direct commercialisation would lead to such inevitable and awful consequences. Malkys point is certainly valid, the bothy may well have closed anyway, How many bothies were there when the book went to print and how many are there now?

The MBA should publicly apologise for getting this 'bothy commercialisation' issue so badly wrong and publicly state that they will not do anything like this in the future. Corryhully Horseshoe peaks Sgùrr nan Coirechan (956m) and Sgùrr Thuilm (963m) loom up above the river to the south across from the bothy; Corbett Carn Mór (829m) is to the West. Regarded as the best book on Scottish bothies, The Bothy Bible is a no-brainer if you want to explore from your armchair before venturing out. Maybe bring a small tarp or groundsheet in case you have to sleep on the ground. Do you pay to stay in a bothy?

If there is no space when you arrive, you could end up outside, so it is worth bringing a bivvy bag or tent, just in case. Bothies are fairly basic shelters- so don’t expect mattresses, showers, or toilets- but that is all part of the charm of bothies. They are maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association [also known as the MBA], but it’s expected that guests staying will do their part to ensure the bothy stays clean and tidy for the next lot of visitors. The Bothy Code: What to know before you go

Parking:Only locals with special permits are allowed cars on the Isle of Rum. But start from new pier at Kinloch (NM 411 992) OR from new pier at Kinloch (NM 411 992) Hosts Jane and James truthfully describe The Sheep Shed as ‘bleating cosy’. A large wood-burning range keeps you snug; the open-air hot tub looks out across rolling barley fields; and the king-sized mezzanine bed faces large windows for making the most of the countryside’s starry skies. Comfort food also reigns supreme. A wood-fired pizza oven is yours to test out and guests are welcomed with a hamper of Jane’s homemade jam and other Scottish treats on arrival. The bothy that allows you to see all this and more is a hunting lodge built in 1877. 15 metres from the bothy there's the remains of a farmhouse, which now lies in ruin, but the date carved into one of the extended beams beneath the roof. The building was abandoned 40 years ago and had become a little the worse for wear when an MBA renovation team extensively refurbished both the interior and exterior in 2009. Think of it as camping without a tent and you won’t be disappointed. It’s a non-canvas tent. You may have to share your tent with others and that’s part of the appeal.The Bothy Bible makes no mention of driving down a private road. It just, simply, says "Parking: Lossit Farm" Of course, many bothy users don't drive ..... Meanwhile, there has at yet been no agreement on any agreement with regards An Cladach. However, the Estate have said that they wish to close the bothy (its not clear atm how) from Sept to March starting from next year, due to inconsiderate parking by a minority of bothy users and the distress caused to the owner by persons asking how to get to the bothy. I expect that to be the case. Absolutely not. A bothy is a shelter and resting place for travellers. Do not take up residence, and ask the landowner if you want to stay more than 2 nights. Can you camp outside a bothy?