Читать книгу The Book of the Bothy онлайн

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Stars: The Galloway Forest Park was the first Dark Sky Park in Britain. It achieved this accolade because of the lack of light pollution in the area. It has been estimated that over 7000 stars can be seen from inside the park, as well as Jupiter – and even the aurora.

Top tip

If the bothy is full there is some space outside for a tent, although the ground is boggy and there’s a lot of long grass and ticks are a risk. Make sure you take some tick removers with you, or at least a pair of flat-headed tweezers, in case you need to remove one.

How to get there

Quickest: The shortest way in starts from the car park at Loch Riecawr. From there follow the forestry track as it passes above the loch under the cover of woodland. At the fork take the path on your left as it bears south. Ignore any turn-offs and eventually you will emerge from the trees. The path becomes a little rougher and wet, but in just over 1km you’ll arrive at the bothy.

Time: 1½hrs

Alternative route

Very hard: If you want to arrive after piling on the miles, then start from the south at Bruce’s Stones. From there head up to The Merrick and then follow the ridge along as it stretches over many undulating kilometres with plenty of knee-busting ascent. Eventually, after passing the summit of Tarfessock, continue on to the col between it and the next peak, from where you descend downhill (pathless) to reach the bothy. Make sure you have plenty of time and are confident in navigating using a map and compass even in bad weather.